The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-27
MISCELLAN NEOUS.
MONKS OF ST. BERNARD.

RESErs CORRESPONDENCE or TIE SEw YORK OBSERVER
The weather was threatening when we
set off from Mariigny, aud we had many
iorebodings that the dogs OF ST. Bernard
nigh, have 10 look US up, il the storm
should come before We reached the hospice.
A chara.banc, n narrow carriage in which
we sat three in line with the tandem horses,
was 10 convey US TO the village Of Lidjes.
On leaving the valley and crossing the river
Dance, we soon commenced the ascent, by
the side Of the raviug torrent. with majestic
heights on either hand. A terrible tale oi
devas ialion and misery, OF sublime iorti,ude
and heroic courage, is told Of the valley OF
Bagnes, where the ice had made a mighty
barrier against the descending waters, which
accumulated so rapidly that tunnel was Gu,
through the frozen dam with incredible toll,
when i, burs, through and swept madly over
the country below, bearing destruction upon
its bosom. In two hours somo 400 houses
were destroyed, with 81 lives, and half a
million dollars worth Of property. We
were four hours and half getting up TO
Liddes, where we had wre,ched dinner,
and then mounted horses 10 ride 10 The sum.
mi, OF the lass.
The rain which had been falling al inter.
yals all the morning, was changed into
snow as we GOT into colder regions. The
path became rougher and more difficult,
and il was hard TO believe tina, even the
indomable spirit Of Napoleon could have
carried an army with all the munitions Of
war, over such a route as this. Yet the
passage now is smooth and easy compared
with what il was when in 1900 he crossed
the Alps.
After leaving the miserable village OF
ST. Pierre, through which Romar Catholic
procession was passing, and we had an
opportunity Of refusing TO take off our hats,
though some of the peasants insisted on our
so doing, we came up 10 heights where no
trees and shrubs were growing; flowers
sometimes put their sweet faces up through
the snow aud smile on Us as we passed, and
| stopped 10 gather them as emblems o!
beauty and happiness in the midst OF desola'
ton and death.
The most of the travellers on their up.
ward way, were mounted on mules, bu, O
few were on loot, and among these was one
Of the monks Of the Hospice, who with a
couple Of blooming Swiss damsels, was re.
turning 10 his quarters from a visit below
We passed one or two cottages, and house
Of stone which had been built away up here
for the reception OF behigh'ed travellers, and
after toilsomc journey OF four hours, Just
at sunset, we came upon the Hospice, large
three story stone house, on The height Of the
mountain more than 5000 feet above the
sea, the highest inhabited spot in Europe.
To shelter those who are compelled 10 cross
this formidable pass in winter, when the
paths are far down underneath the snow,
and travellers are in danger Of being over.
taken by storms, or overcome with fatigue
and sinking in the depths Of the drifts this
hospies has been founded, and sustained
In the summer season, as now, II is merely
a large hotel, where pleasure parties are
drawn by curiosity TO visit the monks and
their establishment, famed the world over
for its hospitality and selfdenying charity.
The snow was falling fast as we aseended
the rugged pass, and at least six inches ol
/, lay on the ground at the top. I was glad
TO have reached il, in the midst Of snch a
storm. II gave me vivid picture Of tbs
hospice when its walls and cheerful fires and
kind sympaihies are needed for worn and
exhausted pilgrims. Such were some who
arrived here this evening. Father Mail.
lard, young monk, received US at the
door, and aher pleasing salu,a,;ons, con.
Quoted US TO our chambers, plainly furnish.
ed apartments, with no carpets on the floor,
bu, with good beds. The house was very
cold. As the season is no, yet Tar advanc.
ed, perhaps their winter fires were no, kin.
died, and rs no fuel is to be had excep,
what Is brought up from below on the backs
of horses, il is well for the monks to be
chary Of its use. Our hos, led us 10 the
chamber in which Napoleon slept when he
was here, and my young German FRIEND
OCCUPIED the same bed in which the En-
peror lay. He did not tell me in the morn
ing thai his dreams were any better thar
mine, though had but an humble:piigrim's
Aher we had taken possession four quar-
tiers, we were al Liberty 10 survey the cs
,abiishment. We began at the kitchen
where small army Of servants were pre-
pairing dinner. over immense cooking stoves
The house is fitted up TO lodge seventy
guests, but oieniimes hundred and eve.
hye hundred have been known 10 be here
al one time. To get dinner for such hos,
In house so many miles above the res, o
1.-THE world, is no small affair. We came uI