Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-12-08
TAKING TIE WHITE VEIL.

We witnessed on Monday morning last the
highly interesting ceremony of taking the
white veil, by -four young ladies, in the Con-
vent Of the Visitation in Georgetown, Is. C.)
4 We confess that we embraced the rare op-
porlunity afforded by the occasion, with
greatly interested feelings, it being in many
respects different from the ceremony Of the
final remuneration of the world, on the taking
of the black veil, which we formerly witness
ed in the same place, and described in this
journal and in some respects more striking.
The chapel of the convent was opened at
q o'clock, aud from that hour the scene was
perfectly solemn and unworldlike. The small
and beautifully ornamented chapel, with its
dim religious light Just showing the uDdying
lamp, like a star at twilight, which forever
burns before the altar; the solitude rendered.
more impressive by the low breathngs Of the
few silent worshippers who we're prescnt,and
the silence heightened into deep solcmni,y by
the sweet and plaintive voices of the unseen
chorsters, whose unccasing chant filling the
sacred air, had at such time an effect sad.
denng and devotional, and were all wonder
fully calculated to prepare the mind for this
ceremony Of touching interest. Toward 9
O'Clock the chapel gradually filed, and when
one Of the nuns threw back the black curtain
which shaded the mysterious grating that
separates the convent from the chapel every
eye was directed to the spot. All the nuns
were seen to slowly enter,in long procession,
and two by two they knelt down along the
whole length Of the aisle, their hands folded
on their breasts, and their hands bent towards
the ground.
Presently the novices were led towards the
grate--the chanting ceased and the or
gan, touched by a master hand, filed the
air with the delicious tones of the noble an
them '.Gloria in excelcis." We gnzed nnx-
iously at the four young creatures who were
now the all-absorbed objects of the ceremony. !
They were all yOung-in the first flush of
glrlhood, and the grace of early youth, were
heightened by dress Of bridal splendor.-
Every charm Of form and fea,ures-and two
Of them at least were exquisitely lovely-was
enhanced by the incest arrangement Of the
rich white dresses in which they were array
cd.
Each was covered witl' n flowing veil. Of
white, and side by side they kneiT silently
down before the grating. The anthem ceas-
ed, when the Archbishop, in his gorgeous ca.
nonicals, advanced to the front of the atnr
and shortly and eloqncntly addressed the
congregation, and the young novices about
to enter on that awful probationship. when
the discourse was finished, his grace blessed
the sombre vestments which were so soon to
replace the splendid dresses for the last time
now worn by tie profcients. They them.
one by one, solemnly answered the interre.
gatories of the rite, and repeated the vow
which severed them from the world, prepara.
tory to its final remuneration.
After this, in like manner, one by one, the
bridal wells were taken of and replaced BY
the Archbishop with the hood significant of
their new profession, andthc symbolic torch
was placed in their hands. Then coming for
ward, Tor the last time, their baptismal names
were formerly abjured, and receiving their
now conven,ual title, the lovely aud ni crest.
ing y"ung creatures were led away from the
affeciionate gaze Of their relatives, and the
very sight Of that world of which their beauty
and accomplishments would have rendered
them the admiration and the ornament. The
whole sisterhood received them with lighted
tapers in their hands. the peal Of the organ
again swelled upon the ear,nnd the dark folds
OF the falling curtain, shut them )orerer, per-