Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-23

some of them Oh the very, pinHTcleS OF the
cones, TO which they seem to grow, while 9th
ers are placed in cavities hewn out of the LOT
test pyramids. The highest accessible part
of the mountain is above the hermitage OF ST.
Maddeena, the descent from which is be-
tween two cones, by a flight of tops, called
Jacobs Ladder, leading into valley which
runs along the summit of the mountain. -
The cones are here in the most grotesque
shapes, The southern one being named st
organ" from its resemblance to a number OF
pipes.
At the extremity Of this valley, which Is
perfect shrubhery, and on an emlnence, STANDS
the hermitage of st. Jerome, the highest and
most remote of all; and near it IS the loitlest
station Of the whole mountain, on which is
little Chapel dedicated TO the Virgin From
this elevated pinnacle the prospect is vast and
splendid. :,
Although the elements have wreaked all
their fury on these shattered peaks, yet ma
ture has not been sparing in her gifts, the spa
ces between the rocks being filled up with
close woods, while numerous evergeens, and
other plants, serve to adorn the various
chasms, rendering them valuable depoSltore'
of the vegetable kingdom. Few, indeed, are
the evergreens of Europe which may not be
found here; and when the mountains was Wis
tied by Mr.. Swinburne, the apothecary ofthe
convent had list of four hundred and thirty
seven species of plants, and forty Of trees,
which shoot up spontaneously, and grace this
hoary and venerable pile. There being two
springs only on the mountain, there is scar
city of water, which is chiefly collected in
cisternS: an inconvenience, however, which
is in great measure counterbalanced by the
absence of wolves, bears, and other wild
beasts.
Captain Carlton, an Englishman, who Wis
tied MOntser at some years ago, assembled to
the Hottest hermitage, that o. st. Jerome, by
tie means of spiral steps hewn out in the rock
on account ofthe steep activity. This he OBJ
serves could not, in his time, be we'll accom-
plished by stranger, without following the
footsteps of an old ass, who carried from the
conve t daily supply of food to the hermits.
This animal having his two panniers stored
with the provisions divided into portions,
climbed withouta guide, and having stopped
at each of the cells, where the hermit took
the portion allotted to him, returned back TO
the convent He found that one oil these her
mits, to beguilc the wearisomeDeSs Of his sol
itude, had contrived SO efiectually to tame the
birds which frequented the grove, round his
hermitage, that he could draw them together
with a whistle, when they perched on his
head, breast, and shoulders, taking the food
from his mouth.
The conve 1T IS situated tt,-, Nostern side
of the mountain, which seems to have been
split by vast torrents of water, or by some
violent CONFUSION of nature-in this way
platform has been formed in the cleft, sufh-
GENTLY ample for the purpose Of its construc-
ton. 1t is one of the forty-hve religious hou-
ses of the Spanish congregation OF the order
ofSt Benedict, The monks are bound to
supply food and lodging for three days to pill
srims who come up to pay their homage. to
the Virgin; besides which, they entertain the
hermlts on Sundays. The latter, who make
VOW never to quit the mountain, take their
static S by seniority, the Junior hermit bcInS
placed at the greatest distance from the con-
vent, and descending progressively as the va
cancies happen. They are not altogether idle,
taking pains 10 rival each other in making
basket-works and other fanctul productions,
which they display with great atabiiity to
their visitors They assemble every morn
ing to hear mass and p form divine ser"ice,
in the parish church Of st. Cecilia, which
lies considerably above the convent "a twice
week they confess and commune. They
wear their boards long, and are clad in brown.
The church Of ST. Cecilia is a gloomy edi
fee, the gliding Of which is much sailed by
the smoke of eighty-fvc silver lamps, Of va
rious forms and sizes, suspended round the
cornice of the sanctuary. For the supply of
these with oil, fund have been bequeathed
by devotees. The choir is decorated with
wood carvings, curously wrought, represent
ing emost prominent passages IT, the life of
Christ.