Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-17


enclosure! How preferable, to a reasoning and
above all an accountable creature, this devotion
Of our years to spiritual Improvement and to ee
neral usefulness, TO the merest vanlties Of life
to the tolls and pains OF ambition-to the CON-
mon whirl of the PASSIONS that commences at
the cradle and ends with the grave! Here pety
meets YOU as YOU enter; without, there is mu.
tusl avoidance, through our pilgrimage! We
now drove to more elevated ground, and, pass.
ing under an arched gateway, entered the en-
closure of the Catholic College TIE site Of
this institution is uncommonly fine. overlookrns
AZ il does the waters of the Potomac, and the
varied, broken, and picturesque ground with
which it is surrounded. These Jesuits haves
deal of worldly wisdom. after all. they know
how to bring the beauties Of nature about their
secluded situations, as well as they know how TO
enjoy GOOD dinners, good wine, and good schO.
Iarsip We were received BY very iuteIE
rent professor, and under his direction went over
the principal building We first proceeded 10
the library, and on entering it, | could not bu,
feel how appropriate the spot seemed to be for
spirits like those which drank here at the foun
tains of learning. There was genius loci that
seemed to pass before me. thought Of st.
Omers and its severe SCHOLARSHIP deep study
the perseverance, Of gifted minds-and of hsh
attainment. This library is beautifully arran..
ed. and highly valuable. doubt il there is any
to equal it in our country. in the theological de-.
par,ment Many curlo,s old books were shown
US, coevaI with the art OF printing; and could
not but observe how near. after all, they came
! to us. centuries ago, in The neatness ard fms.
of book making. [ saw far better print. exetut
ed in the l6'h century, than too freqenty see
nov. in the 18Th.
, But the manuscripts were still more invalua
. Bile. Several were shown US that proved not on
{ ~ the beautiful penmanship Of the writer but
his inconcelvable patience. The Illuminated
manuscripts were exceedingly delicate; and as
| hung over them in admiration, could not but
feel that the works and recuses Of the dark eve
had transmitted works Of art to our own time,
which we may despair to equal. These copies
were rare curiusities in my eye-and | fingered
about them as about some of The best specimen,
of the best antiquity. One Of these splendid
volumes was written out in 1910. The chirUs
raphy was beautiful IN the highest degree
| We were next conducted to the Museum. This
is small but select 1t contains superior eIec.
trica apparatus, and another professor joining u,,
and being man of .infn,e Jest" we had aiew
experiments from him, and sundry goud sayings.
The dormitories. like those at the convent were
distinguished for their neatness and order. As
| traversed these long sleeping apartments
was natural TO inquire little about the tenants
of the beds. | was Informed that they were &c.
| Morally pretty peaceahIe boys" more so.' said
our conductor, las | suppose they know We
keep good eye upon them, IN bed and out OF H."
They retire al half past 8, and rise regularly at
half past 5. They are all healthy. The college
has now been incorporated about AZ years, and
! not single death has occurred among the STU
dents. This speaks volumes for the situation;
and was more than ever charmed with II iron
a view which we had from the upper window
one Of The towers. | perceived that they are
throwing a.vast deal of their land into a vine
yard-and one Of the professors told mehe hop
ed soon to make their own pure wine fnr the Pu'
pills. This is weIl--so they hare pure aud light
wines and set good example of moderation
in the use Of it. These Catholic brethren ar.
generally good lvers. and understand the virtues
If good grapery. In this Institution, believe
the, are moderate in every thing but their seh9
arship.
Proceeding along one of the galleries, we nov
approached the chapel The moment our sPr..t
" Jesuit turned the key. which admitted u"
this molly place, | observed the instantaneous
change of his countenance 1t lost all It' sal'!
and every muscle fell into that peculiar eli'a
ton which is so expressive OF melancholy and '@
row. We entered-and his voice sunk TO
whispe, before the a~e-inspirins ASSOCIATIONS
the place. 1t was really all imposing scene
and voluntarily asked every question IN a'al
pressed voice. The walls were hung with PAM
ings-some old and mastery of a very ImPn
sive character. The death of Francis Atsia
was among the most prominent: and Masd'I'n
was extremely beautiful. Passing behind e e
altar. we entered small private chapel ais" u
led with paintings. and containing drap'[Iy~o
rich but curious French neede.work emOI"loeH
We then issued into the hall, and havlns n'''.
ed our interesting pilgrimage. took leave o y"
kind conductor. On the whole, was maen 20
tilted with this VISIT 1t presented ne" "i r.,
to my eye and my taste. The appearance "
Jesuit is calculated TO impress you. lOf
who accompanied US. was young man I"
hapa 80, with fine face and engaging deme'',
His dress was black boinbaZine. or thin e'-
cut in the fashion of frotk coat, but w'OO'.
collar; tight in The neck, with the shirt co'i w.