The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-06-13
A Nun. taking the Vel.

The Solemn SCENE ot'the profession of II
Nun in Rome, is thus described in letter
from Baltimorean in the Eternal City, which
we find in the Baltimore Americans: asf"T
AT the appointed hour attended AT the
church, and was surprised at the small num-
Der the exciting scene had assembled. Va
rious were the stories of the past life ard for
tune ofthe one who was this day Otake the
veil, which were told in whispers by those as
sembled. All, however, accorded that hers
had been life marked by events so fall of
sorrowthai her history was not listened TO
without deep emotion. BY his own hand, or
by casualty he had passed away, and she,
weary ola life which he could not share, noH
sought shelter in a sanctuary, where the al
ticted may weep IN silence, aud where, If
sorrow he not assuaged, its tears are hidden.
All awaited the moment oil her entrance with
anxious impotence; every, eye was directed
towards her with an expression ofthe deep
est interest. Splendidly adorned and attend
edby the Princess BaFberini, she slowly adj
vanced TO the seat assigned her near the ALTAR.
Her fine form rose above the middle stature;
gentle bend mnrked her contour, and her
full black eyes, which were occasionally in pi-
Gus awe raised to heaven, and her long dark
eyelashes, weight to a countenaioe on
which resignation seemed portrayed. 1.-THE
places allotted to us as strangers, whom the
courteous manners, were such not only To
view the whole ceremony, but to conte mplate
the features and expression of this interest
ing being. The ceremony now began, and
conducted by a Cardinal, he first pronounced
n rather long diseourse--after which she piss
ed out of the church, and into the adjoining
Convent, which was to he her future liomef
She now appeared in small chapel bfthe'
nunnery, divided from the church by ii
large open window, covered with an ron
grating, and the ceremony proceeded. Iltile
back ground, in blazing, focus light, stood
an altar from which, in divided line, the
nuns of the community were seen, each hold
ing large burning waX taper The obseTv-
ances were numerous and imposing. AT
length the solemn moment approached which q
was 10 bind her vows TO Heaven. n She rose
and stood a few moments, before tile altar.
when suddenly, yetwith a noiseess action.
she sank upon her knees and phe deep silence
was broken by thelow tones Of the organ, aet
by soft and beautiful female yoic-- |,
es, singing the dolefnl requiem. Tears were
the silent expression of the emotion wliicl
thrilled through every heart. This solemn q
music continued long and fell mournfilIl4 iii III
the ear, until, recedinS as it were into the dis
tance it gently sank into silence. The young
novice was then raised, and advancing toyyI
ards the Cardinal, size bent down, kncefngo
at his feet, while he cuta lock of her hair. ns
which she cast from her as atype of the GER
emony which was to deprive her of this 10
her no longer valued ornament. 0 Her Attend
ant then dispoiled her of the rich Jewels will,
which she was adorned; her splendid upper
was thrown off, and replaced by d "
oosed robe ofwhite,t the nuns garb-4lier long
resses boundup, her temples covered With e
fine linen, the white crown, emblem of inno- 20
cence, fixed on her head, and the icrncifix
placed in her hands,. Then kneeine low
1nce more before the altar, she breathed her
asst vow to heaven, at which moment the or a
gan and choristers burst forth in loud shouts q
Of triumph. .Ta'ai2NA
She was then received and embraced by,
he Lady AbDess, and by oach ofthe nuns IN
urn, whilst their eyes sparkled, and a smile, :
seemed struggling with the solemnity OF, the
in expression oftheir innocent de- -r
light in beholding the approach Of her. who,
lad offered up her VOWS and become one OF i,T
heir community. 1t might have been the
olemn light shed or the surrounding objects "a
n the nlomentary charm lent by enthusiasm. 49,
leceiving the eye and she heart, which gave ~
his fair being a Fascination more than real:
mt such were my feelings, so fixed my atten-
ion, that when the curtain again was drawn.
nd their forms faded from my view, and
lrned again towards the busy throng and
rowded street, felt a heaviness ofheart, ep-4
n TO pain, weigh upon me She shortly al.
or appeared at the entrance Of the convenl.
nd apparently with happy spirit, took her
nal adieu of her friends from whom she was e =
, be forever ENTHUSIASTICALLY offering her
and TO her male friends, while she returned -
he lingering embraces of those dear to her
fher own sex, with that happy resignatio,it y =
'hich piety inspires, while Yielding 10 a sac 4,
fee made to Heaven. J will not weary Won
18th detail ofthe sad reflections which i'm
ressed me as left that threshold which she
nuth M oUai,1 lint. =,