Washington telegraph., 1855-06-27
rev TFOES OF a nun.
Insight into Convent Life.


The forthcoming work of Miss Brinklev,
Who recently escaped from a Catholic Con-
vent At Emmettsburg. Maryland, is already
exciting considerable attention in New I ork
Civ. where a suit Is now progressing rela-
tive to the copyright, &c. From the proof
sheets the following chapter is taken. which
will be read with interest by all, and gives
/ some insight into Convent Life:
| said. st the conclusion of the last chap
ter, that converts and.religious communities
of similar nature. are favorable to neither
moral Dor bodily health. As regards their
disastrous influence on the physical frame,
there can be TO doubt. as have satisfactori-
" shown, and it is not denied, even by those.
most interested in uphOlding them The
Mother Superior of st. Joseph's, in her re-
markable letter, did not attempt to cOntro-
vert this point. although she maintained that
II was the result Of the pious and charitable
Offices TO which the sisters have devoted
themselves, in attending hospitals and ad-
ministeriug TO the sick. But the fact is,
that most Of the sickness in the community
arises from the unrernit:ed and laborious SER
vile duties. and exhaGsting nature By what
are termed devotional exercises. the fatigu-
inc forms and attitudes, which are more as
simIated to torture than to meditation and
Worship
Itweakness, sickness, and shattered coz
stitutiOn-the natural results of overtasked
streugth-had been the only considerations
against which I'had to contend might still
have been an inmate of St. Joseph
unwilling one, certainly, as was thoroughly
convinced of the grievous mistake l had
comu,itted-but still they would not have
proved sufficiently potent in urging - to
the desperate venture Of an attempt 70 es-
cape from It's walls. call it desperate
venture. because a failure TO accomplish nv
object would have been attended with c0ESe-
auences which even now | shudder 10 con-
template; and no trifiing cause could have
prompted an effort, the detection of which
would have exposed me to fearful punish
ment But other incentives. combined with
thephvsical and mental suffering | constantly
endured, forced NE to make trial of escape
from place, the atmosphere Of which teem-
ed with danger and pollution.
This part Of my subject | approach with
d9ubt and difidence, and with feelings which
sensitive minds can appreciate. Yet. con-
seioas Of the purity Of my motives. and con-
yinced that the public have 4 right to know
the circumstances and causes which influ-
euced my actiOn-at the same time. con-
scious that it is due to myself and friends to
declare it shall endeavor TO discharge
this unpleasant; duty with truth and candor
| entered the institution OF St .Jo<eph's
under the complacent impression and inipli-
cit belief that among the Sisters of Char
ty" I should find an entire dey0tedness. an
unseIfsh. pure dedication to the services of
the Almighty | had heard and read 50
much of their pious life, their earnest ef-
forts to comfort the afflicted, tend the sick
and console the dying, that l entertained
the most exalted ideas OF their Christian
perfection The short time. too, remained
a. the institution as u visitor. with the assS
rance Of the Superior confirmed the favor
able effect on nv mind, and | therefore be-
came member under the most propitious
auspices TO view matters in the most friend
y LIGHT But I was speedily disappointed
The rose color tiit in which the siSterhood
bad appeared to nv eager glance. gave place
TO the sOmbre reality when | was enabled
to see things Alright. My authorizations we're
unreal;Zed. MY feelings shocked. and my en-
thuSiaSm from fever heat cooled down to ze-
ro- Although many were perfectly sincere
and Conscientious in the practice OF. their
devo;iOns and discharge of their duties. vet
among these 50 much superstiti0us revcr-
ence prevailed as to excite contempt and
pity | allude especially to the respect paid
to pictures and images. which, although the
catholic Church says they are OILY intend
ed TO direct the mind TO 4 devout contem-
platIon Of the originals, were here viewed
IN light that savored OF idolairy In the
garden Of the Superior, where we were
sometimes permitted to walk, is statue of
St Nlncent, the founder of the order. This
figure was held in great estimation. No
one passed it without lowly and reveren-
tai Obeisance. and have often seen and
heard it addressed as living being. MANY
Of the sisters would approach it timidIy
with their hands claSped in the attitude of
prayer. and after profound salutation. ex-
claim. in beseeching tOnes-"Pray for me.
father
The older or ''professed sisters are treat
ed with much more leniency. and lead 4
more easy life than the novices Many Of
those rather advanced in age occupy their
own rooms. where they are served by the
younger inmates. and are not compelled to
attend strictly to all the services In the
community room they have ''parties, =
with music and refreshments, and to which
the priests are invited: but none Of the
Younger sisters are admitted. or allowed a
share of the delieacies provided for the oc-
easlon, although for the most part it is their
DUTY to prepare them. OF occurrences and
acts IN the community room Of course | can
give no account, as seminary sisters are not
allowed TO enter there at any time. except
Snen summoned to the presence of The Su-