The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-06-18
The Sisters Of Charity.
By R. H. DANA, JR.

By R. H. DANA, JR.
The Casa de Bene6cencia is large in
stitution for orphan and destitute children,
for infirm old persons, and for the insane.
1t is admirably situated, bordering on the
open sea, with fresh air and very good
attention to ventilation in the rooms. 1t
is government institution, but is placed
under the charge Of the Sisters of Charity,
one of whom accompanied US about the
building. Though called government
institution, it must not be supposed that
it is charity from the crown. On the
contrary, it is supported by specific ap-
preparation of certain Of the taxes and
revenues Of the island In the building
is church, not yet finished, large enough
for all the inmates, and quiet little pri-
vate chapel for the Sisters devotions,
where burning lamp indicated the pres
ence of the sacrament on the small altar.
I am sorry to have forgotten the number
of children. 1t was large, and included
both sexes, with a separate department
for each. In third department are the
insane. They are kindly treated and not
confined, except when violent; but the
Sister told us they had no medical treat
ment unless in case of sickness Or
Howe told me he was also SO informed.
The last department is for aged and indi-
gent women.
One of the little orphans chung to the
Sister who accompanied us, holding hel
hand, and nesting in her coarse but clean
blue gown; and when we took our leave
and put a small coin in her little, soft
hand, her eyes frightened up in pretty
smile.
none have joined the order from Cuba &
am told literally none,) they are all from
abroad, chiefly from France and Spain
and having an acclimation to go through
with exposure to yellow fever and cholera
many of those that come here die in tn,
first or second summer. And yet they
still come, in simple, religious fidelity
under the shadow of death.
The Casa de Beneicencia must be pro
nounced by all, even those accustomed Il
the system and order of the best chart
table institutions in the world, credit t,
the island of Cuba. The charity is larg
and liberal, and the order and neatuess o
its administration are beyond praise.
From the Bene6cencia we drove to tn
Military Hospital. This is huge estab
lishment, designed to accommodate al
the sick of the army. The walls ar
high, the floors are of brick and scrupu
lously clean, as are all things under tn
charge of the Sisters of Charity; and tn
ventilation is tolerable. The buildin
suffered from the explosion of the maya
zine last summer, and some quarters hav
not vet been restored for occupation
The number of sick soldiers now actual
. in the hospital exceeds one thousand
, Most Of them are young some mere lad
, victims Of the CONSUMPTION of Old SpaiI
which takes them from their rustic home
, in Andalusia and Catalonia and the Pyl
enees, to expose them to the tropics
heats of Cuba, and to the other danger
of its climate. Most had fevers. w
saw o few cases of vomito Notwith
standing all that is said of the healthfu
8 ness of winter in Cuba, the experience
Sister Servant, (Which, believe, is tn
title of the Superior of body of Sistel
: of Charity told US that a few sporad
6 cases of yellow fever occur in Havana
all seasons of the year; but that we nee
not fear to go into the wards. One patiel
was covered with the blotches Of receI
J, small pox. 1t was affecting 10 see Il
! wistful eyes of these poor fevered soldi'
g boys, gazing on the serene, kind, count
!, uances of the nuns, and thinking of the
mothers and sisters in the dear home
: old Spain, and feeling, no doubt, that tn
womanly, religions care was the neare
i and best substitute.
!. The present number of Sisters charge
:, = with the entire care Of this great hospita
!, except the duty of cooks and mere mai
= ual and mechanic labor necessary dol
by men, is not above twenty-five. III
: Sister Servant told us that the proper con
= plement was forty. The last summt
: eleven of these devoted women died
: yellow fever. Every summer when ye
: low fever or cholera prevails, some
= them die. They know it. Yet the v
- cancies are filled up; and their serene al
:. ever happy countenances give the strang
. no indication that they have bound ther
selves to the bedside Of contagious al
!, loathsome diseases every year, and
:. scenes of sickness and death every day
- As we walked through the passag
.e way, we came to the little private chap
CT of the Sisters. Here was a scene / c
never forget. 1t was an hour assigned
y prayer. All who could leave the 81
- wards-not more than twelve or fourte
~ were kneeling in that perfectly ST
!, secluded, darkened room, in double 70
- all facing the altar, on which burned o
VI taper, showing the presence of the Sac
ment, and in silent prayer. That doul
- row of silent, kneeling women, uncc
:. =. scious of the presence of any one, in tn
y. 10 snow.white, close caps and long capes, a
coarse, clean, blue gowns-heroines, if I
y. y. world ever had heroines, their angels
~ holding the face Of their Fatherin Heav'
a. as they knelt on earthl
AZ 1t was affecting and yet almost AM
he ing-it would have been amusing al
oil where else-that these simple creatul
an not knowing the ways of the world, Q
~ DESTROYS to have soft music Gil their 70
as they knelt at silent prayer, and
"A. having (for their duties preclude it) Z
n. skill in the practice of music, had la
on music box wound and placed on sta
m. in the rear, giving out its liquid tor
ds just loud enough to pervade the air, wi
en- out forcing attention. The effect !
M beautiful; and yet the tunes were not
nor chiefly, religious. They were s
as any music box would give. But W
do these poor creatures know Of what
- world marches to, or makes love to?
. I've them it was ell music, and pure
n" holy!
n n Minute after minute we stood, wait
LIZ for, but desiring, an end to these delit