The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-01

in short, her head was neatly covered with the
most precious stone, save where few s.raJ
riglets crcpt from among them over her beau
tiful forehead. A plume Of the bird of para
disc tastefhly disposed on one side OF her
head, completed the comp d cd OF her dress.
The other sister was dressed IN the same
manner, with the exception that her dress was
white. Thus adorned, the two females wait
ed the approach Of that hour which was de-
stined 10 shat out the world, and all its hopes
and Joys forever. Immediately around the
young ladies', sat their mother aud sisters,
and their nearest trends, all as richly hapited
as themselves, excepting the diamonds, which
on this occasion, were all literally heaped on
the intended nuns. All the visitors were
dressed in the same style OF splendor. Dia.
monds gtering and white pumes waving,
threw over the whole oil this part Of the con-
vent gay and brilliant effect, which was in
creased by the profusion Of lights, and still
more by the contrast produced by the simple,
sable habits Of the nuns, who crowded the in
terror Of the room behind the two sisters, who
were thus splondidly decorated and numerous
ly attended. | wish some eminent painter
had been present-the scene altogether was
wonderfully imposing, and presented one
ofthc most interesting pictures ever behed.
You may probably imagine that this reli-
gious ceremony in connexon with the idea of
something like an eternal separation from the
world, and all we love within il, would have
thrown melancholy sadness over the party
that were here assembled. Nothing could
possibly exceed the gaiety and JOY that pre-
vailed all around. The elder sister was in
particularly high spirits. Her archie eye, and
lively conntenance, appeared but i'll adapted
to a nun they would much better become
the coquettish Italian beauty, laughing at
world of lovers at her feet. The younger was
in good spirits, but she wanted that archness
and playfulness, which seemed natural to the
elder. Having taken, refreshment, we left
the parlor of the convent and proceeded 10
the church where the ceremony Of taking the
veil was to be performed.
On these occasions, the churches are or
namented with great splendor. The walls
and columns are hung with rich silks, which
are literally covered with gold and silver en-
fetal flowers. The affairs are adorned with
similar magnifcence. From the ceilings
great numbers Of chandeliers are suspended,
and the brilliant and sparkling decorations Of
the walls and columns, have, on the first en-
trance, more the effect Of enchantment than
reality.
Previously to the ceremony commencing,
which we had attended to witness, process
sion Of the nuns Of the convent, bearing the
cross and the image Of cur Saviour, passed
SLOWLY along the gallery of the church. They
were dressed in black, with veil Of white
lawn hanging from the back to the ground,
and each nun carried in her hand lighted
torch. As they moved along, they chanted
some melodious strains, that, at intervals,
swelled upon the ear, then gradually sunk into
soft and dying close, like the retiring sounds
of an Eolian harp the effect was solemn,
and awfully impressive.
Near the high altar, there is small room
in which the ceremony takes place, and a
narrow CRATE is the only communication be-
tween this interior apartment and the church,
behind, stand the nuns who take the veil
consequently they are but partially and imper-
tectly seen. The manner in which the two
sisters conducted themselves on this impor-
tant and trying occasion, was not only calm
and serious but even dignifed though some
of their intimate friends were at the same
time extremely agitated and in tears.
Here the scene is changed, and the gaiety
which had before prevailed in the convent
parlor was now succeeded by more solemn
and sacred feelings. When the noyicates
have young vowed to quit the vanities Of the
world, and unite themselves to Christ, the
elder nuns prepare them for the change they
have to undergo. Their rich ornaments and
costly clothing, the fit habiliment of gay and
sinful world, are now taken from them, and
the plain, simple dress of nun, with rosary
Of beads. is substituted in their place. Their
beautiful rnglets are next cut off, and the head
covered with white lawn veil. A dead So
Tenn silence ensues. A funeral pail is thrown
over them, and the death-bell tolls their de-
parture from this world Of care and wo.
never felt half so solemn and awful as at this
moment the bell :. froze the genial cur
rent Of the scul," and suspended for mo-
ment the functions Of life. If all ended here,
an expression of grief and sadness would be
left upon the mind, but the company adjourn
TO the convent, the young nuns come to life
again, with the difference of dress only, to
enjoy little longer the society Of the world,
and the evening ends with the same life, spirit,
and gaiety with which it began.-.N Y. Mir
T0r.
II is fact worthy OF remark that those opposed to
the Sub-lreasury scheme, and the leading measures