The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-28
MBXIOO.
Converts and the Convent System-The
Ancient Mon aLerles OF tho Re p al bIlc.

Kane 0'Donnell, writing to the New York
Tribune from aXico, on July 10, says:-
There are few live monasteries in Mexico at
the present day, albeit the immense masonrles
and RUNS tDat remain sufficiently suggest the
extent and power of the conventual system.
The old convent of Ensenapza, or teaching, Is "A
large specimen OF its class of structures. Half
dozen stone-payed courts with fountains,
many corridors overlooking these patios count
less cells looking out upon the corridors, and
heavy aIchways leading from one courtyard into
another, describe the general character of such
building. AS the name implies, children
went to school in this convent. That of
the Encarnacion illustrated better principle
in its structure and life. Instead OF many
little courts there was one large patio with two
stories OF broad corridors surrounding. In the
centre fountain played that now oVerruns its
wide basin, and the space around was broad
garden, laid out in walks edged with tiles, and
overglown with the lovelest flowers of the
cline, orange, lily, monosiilo, campanella,
trumpet-vines, and more than can name. In
this patch OF Paradise, well-nested birds kept
up a sweet liveoDg jargon, Just as they care
les sly do now to the wondermeut of the visitor
who puts foot in the deserted garden. | sup
pose, too, the meek nuns dld not cease
10 grieve for piety's or feelings sake,
unless the narro wing routine OF daily
duties set the mind in mechanic groove of
faith, TO the hum.drumning away of sentiment.
The chief inscriptions discoverable on the con-
vent walls are rules in verse observing that
nun must keep tidy, be precise in her demeanor,
".
of the p1ous drill thus suggested furnished con-
siderable part OF the discipline of a prim, holy
life, and was, of course, much of the life itself.
The santships drilled thereby might not nave
been as useful or as humble as poor Dame
burden. Yet the world knows that this peni-
tentary system of piety has maintained and
educated women pure and good as ice IN sum
holy st, Agnes was scarce miracle. Chance led
me the other day into the precincts of
santa Brlglda. The entrance is secluded from
the street, and it is to the ramber's surprise
that he finds himsell in the walls of an old con-
vent tesselated with the little shabs of delf
made in Pueola century ago. Over the door
leading out OF the courtyard or patio we see a
relic OF the intense zeal that raised such I'M
Gense walls out of the pockets of the faithful
1t was thought manifestation of high spirit for
Pere Duchesne to propose at the end OF cleri-
cal sessions in Belgium cheers for the Redeemer.
Here toe cheers are written over the portal:-
"Viva Jesus! Viva Maria Viva jose! ~ and the
Viva is far from being pro!ane, howeYerlt sounds
to ears undeVout The Convent is now tenanted
by families OF SIMPLE folks, and its garden is
reached by applying 10 one of these. 1t is the
charm of the place-a wild convent wall such
as we read OF, where, in brief space, all the
floral colors run riot, as in some such day-dream
OF blossoms and vines as grew out of the SON.
nolent years OF the Sleeping Palace. The foun-
tain in the middle has ceased TO play; a chapel
at the side dauoed over with red cherubs is in
ruins; little hermitage at the back wall, where
nun might pray to niched copy of Our
Lady of Solitude, is dlsmantled. Lizards
caper up and down the walls in the hot sun,
or peep out of creVlces, or vanish behind
! the rank oveIg growth of nastursiOn flowers. The
| tauque or convent pool, once clear as font,
! has become green by il.use, and little oratory
| near by serves party of washerwomen. One
| is reluctant to leave this garden, and its scat
! tered benson of fowers-tall, vari-tinted gera-
Iiums, cam panellas malvaroso, lilies, and if l
mistake not, cro~n-of-thoIn flowers, with spi-
neScent stems and small blood red blossoms, the
same whose wood Indians used to poison their
arrows. Good st. Bridget and her devotees
| have been in this garden, and lett it rosy, just
| as If IN holier days its sisterhOod of religious
| blossoms had been regularly sprinkled with
| holy water, and so grew in grace.
| The principal convent OF monks in Mexico
| was that of San francisco, the runs of which
| have been adapted to a circus. 1t was an enor-
nous establishment, occupying several large
| squares, Low in,ersected by streets and taken
up by houses. Looking at the old gateway one
| can sill see the convent chapel dedicated to
| Our Lady of AranZa, with sculptured pastoral
on Its facade, sho wing that the story of the
| heaven-inspired Indian at Guadalupe was
hardly unique. shepherd is piDing to his
| hocks at the foot of tree, and Our Lady, in an
| Elizabethan dress, radiated with glory, is de-
| scending upon or out of the tree. Wonderful to
say this convent was built in 1881, on the site OF
| an Aztec temple dedicated to the god of war
| and was founded by Fray Pedro de Gante, sou
| OF the Emperor Charles V. The convent had
five churches attached to it, one of them ol
cathedral size.