Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1853-01-06
From the Ne,O York Observer.
The HOSDicO Of &c. Bernard.

the Monks at Prayers. Desolate Gp-
psGrGnce neat morning. - BREAKFAST
ChapsI.-St. Bernard Dogs, Bell Of
the C0nvent.-zHe MNgae.-Retwru
to Mai tigny.
A steep path, cut through the solid
rock. conducts to the door Of the Hos~:
pice Of St Bernard. We we're soon
dismounted and within the Hall. A
large bell, having long rope attach
ed. was suspended outside. an in,
ner door, leading into the Reception
Room: A rap upon this, soon brought
the Superior Of the Convent to the door.
He was rather young looking man,
with very pleasant face. and dressed
in black robe, reaching nearly to the
ankle, and buttoned from top to bottom.
A white band went over one shoulder
and across the chest. while nDon lis
head was black conical cap with tuft-
The whole costume was very neat and
pleasing. He spoke to US in French,
bidding US very cordial good evening;
and say ing he feared we we've very wea-
ry. Immediately af.er, We were shown
10 rooms, F and / receiving very
comfortable one with Two beds. which I
was happy to see were most literally
provided with covering. Our knapsacks
supplied US with change, and we then
went into the reception room. where
supper had been provided for us
Gathered about the ERE, and husily en-.
gagged in conversation we're an American
gentleman and his son from Virgin
Ia, an English officer. a gentleman
and lady from Holland. and an English
artist. The fire. place was very roomy,
SO much SO indeed. that I pilied the ex-
ceedlngly minute FIRE within it. Is was
an aggrayaLion to look at this, and I
thought it burned in a deprecaling sort
| of way, as if to ask forgiveness for hav~
ing taken upon itself 10 warm SO many
people. and SO, large room. But it is,
worth while to mention, that not stick
of wood grows within two leagues Of the
Hospice, while all the fuel for the com
vent must be brought from forest be-
longing TO it, distance nearly four. AS
there is no carriage road, it must be-
transported upon the backs OF horses
Of which 45 are kept at the Convent. -
Besides this, at the elevation at whictn
the convent stands, 5000 teet above sea
level, water boils at 1900, so that FIVE
hours are required for cooking what at.
a less elevation would need bnt three.
The careful husbandry Of their fuels
therefore. on the part Of the Mcnks. 10
very satisfactorily explained. It is quite
the most expensive article consumed BY
them.
Physicians say that the custom Of be-
ginning meal with sonp. is very prejn-
dicial 10 health. and that warm liquids
are to be avoided. I hope il this ipjunc-
ton is ever carried into effect, st. Beg
nard will be made an exception. The
soup they gave US. was somewhat wa
terry, must confess, but it was hot
enough to scorch the tongue Of fire ea-
ter. and in my chilled state. this watts
chiefest recommendation, The supper
was very good. especially as it was the
second or third one that evening. and
being served with all the kindness in tie
world. we relished it nightly. ! felt
partially thawed when it was over, but
for fear the FIRE would freeze me, went to-
bed very soon after. And now for the,
fist time before or since, / rejoiced, as
I entered the bed room, to see upon the
beds those puffy bags Of feathers. Ihave
previously mentioned. For don'k
know, that ! was ever more nearly as
simulated to walking icicle than when l
r., ached the convent, and desperate case.
needed a desperate remedy. Under
this, also.--if ST. Bernard had been in
the room, think / shonld have Rugged
him with jpy--were one, two. three. and
don't know but more blankets, and
such blankets / ! was under them in
the least possible time my benumbed
fingers would admit, and had my deadli-
est enemy entered the room, q moment
after, he would have made poor bar
gain. at a penny pound. for any visible
Epor,ion OF my body. Animal heat. blan-
kets and. feathers were obliged TO fight
long, and both to bring about reaction.
hut it came at length. and. what dell@
cious change it was. | have an ndiss
.inct recollection Ct falling asleep. drean-
ing that was in Tophet and that t.
pIet was not half go uncomfortable o. .
generally supposed.
Something like music fastened itself
TO the end of the morning dream. And
as awoke. after one Of the sonndest and
most delicious rests ever enjoyed I
heard the soft, sweet notes Of an. organ.
that seemed TO come from adietant part
If the building. And so it did, for The
monks were al pray e,s in their chapel
land | lay quietly until the sweet zone
had died away. Upon arising: = more
| .i,eu,v sipht than we beheld lroMlhe
w;ndow. !. would BE- difficult 10 conceive.
Ey.n under the brightest summer sky.
he Hospice Of st. Bernard must Be .
iesolate place enough. Yet can ina
zine that in winter. when evei thing was.
buried in snow. lis appearance weplG
40