The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-07
Convenss In usnly.


lished a book entitled "a Pilgrimage to
Rome" containing. among other things, an
account Of the Monastic Institutions Of
Italy. From the description given OF some
OF them, it will be seen that they are Of a
character somewhat different from that usu.
ally ascIibed TO them. They are in fact in.
stitutions for the accommodation and sup
port of the younger sons Of the aristocracy.
who, have in them. a home for life, furnish
ed by their rich friends, precisely upon the
same principle that young men Of the same
standing in England, are provided for, by
the purchase OF a commission in the army.
Some Of these converts are well and
richly endowed; and as they are conducted
with great responsibility, are supplied with
many comforts. and impose no rigid disci-
pline; they admit only a superior class Of
persons as members, with the exception of
few laymen Of the lower classes, who are
admitted on the express understanding of
their being servants to the others-aeting as
porters, cocks. messengers, &c,o In con.
vents Of this class. the moda OF life is not
unlike that OF some members of our Eng.
lish universities. Having nothing TO do,
the, live in their apartments, dine together,
gossip with one another, attend the prescrib-
ed number Of services at chapel; some
times. when their taste is so inclined, they
give themselves to study, and thus spend,
what some regard as pleasant bachelors
life. This is precisely the same character
of the more respectable converts Of Rome,
religion and religious feeling having.as lit
tie to do with the matter as with a college
life in England. ..-
1t is not religion, but convenience. that
has dictated the system. And the whole in.
terror life of convent Of this superior class
bears all the traces Of this. Some Of them
offer considerable amount OF comfort TO
their members, with pleasant gardens, a
good library. and an excellent table, with
well furnished apartments. In one estab-
lishment-through the whole Of which |
was kindly conducted by one Of It's men,
bers--there was appropriated to each suite
OF small apartments. consisting of small
sitting room, sleeping room, and a small
study, all opening into another vacant
apartment, or hall, or gallery; and the
whole being separated by door from all
the resi- Of the establishment There were
twenty-five gentlemen living in this convent
every one Of them possessing similar suite
Of apartments. And though to the eye Of
one accustomed to the comforts of an Eng
lish home there always seemed a lack Of
comfort about these establishments, yet such
is the general character OF an Italian house.
And ann bound i'm candor and honesty TO
say that the bachelor life OF convent in
Italy, is in every respect, considering the
two countries, equal in comforts and in so.
ciety, and in enjoyments tie the general run
of college life in England In some re-
spects il has decided advantage.
In some Of these converts Of superior
class il is difficult TO obtain admission as
members or brothers. They arc well and
richly endowed, and some require consider
able interest; some require family connex-
ions, as the appointments rest with certain
tamilies--like the Founders kin in our uni.
yersities; some require a considerable sum
of money-as five hundred pounds--and
then the member is provided for life with
his home, his support and clothing
| do not feel disposed to attribute to the
q monks and friars Of Rome any special i'm
: propriety or irregularity Of life. Every one
knows. who has any knowledge Of the
world, that when number of unmarried
f men are living in bsnack, or residing to
| gether in a college, the atmosphere of such
: places is not usually more pure and mora
! than elsewhere. The experience Of III,
world has long since settled this matter
n Now the converts of the higher classes il
E Italy, are neither more nor less than laIg'
boarding houses for the younger sons OF tn,
Z aristOCracy-a sort Of club, arranged in al
u Italian fashion, where they can live cheap
!. ly and well, and enjoy the society Of thos
who are in every respect their equals, with
in the establishment, and at all times 8
, forth to enjoy any society more suited .
n their tastes, without the establishment
j. And under a system like this. ii is contrar
d to all experience Of mankind and all know
P edge Of the world to suppose that in sue
large assemblages Of young and unmarrie
er men, there should not be certain amour
= Of negularity; and the society Of Italy ia
ng never been celebrated for purity Of morals
The results are what might be anticip'
ted. Some whose inclinations lead them
.e study, devote themselves to the acquistio
: Of knowledge in the various departments
ID literature, and have proved themselv,
NJ among the most intellectual learned an
able men of the age, while they are Il
most polished and agreeable companion
= Some whose tendencies arc towards rel
q, gion, or whose ambition is to rise in Il
,e- State, devote themselves to the acqulsltio
=. of ecclesiastical knowledge and political 4
en- trigue, which fill at Rome the place OF pc
in liamehsary talent to the ambitious aspiral
NJ, in England, the only channel to power
a Rome being through the church; othel
lad whose Incidence or recllessness make the
%s Indifferent to such things, devote themselv
to to The amusement Of thepassing hour; and
cordingly they are seen in the drawis
room, and in the billiard-room, and at
me gaming. table, and in every place of iashi
lot and amusement.