Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-01-04

III a pint OF water, constitute tueir
meal. Seated each upon block Of
wood before an unspread table, with
mug. wooden spoon and trencher, the
food is eaten in silence. From time
to time the prior strikes bell. The
eating ceases. Every head is bowed.
1t is the moment of reflection. He
strikes again, and the meal is resum-
ed.
"But suppose one of the Order were
i'll, and the physician were to direct
strengthening dict?"
ave know no illness here" our
guide replied, "nor any physician save
a spiritual one"
As the monks left their table, we
stood aside to let them pass. At the
door was penitent. He lay stretch
ed at full length on the Threshold
His penance had just been imposed.
1t was to be trodden upon by those
who departed. Painfully as the sight
impressed US who were strangers, the
inmates seemed rather to enjoy it.
Every one planted first one foot and
then the other squarely on the recum-
bent'S back. To do him justice, he
bore it bravely, uttering no groan
save when a fat monk brought up his
second foot and stood resting for
minute or two on the penitent'S body.
Before conducting US through the
buildings, our master of ceremonies
introduced US to the father prior. He
is an old man, tall and thin, with a
bearing and countenance expressive
of command. A long staff is his mark
ofidiStinction. Beyond this, his wool
en- robes, SCapulary and sabots were
like the others. With him rests eve
ry secret. The name each monk has
left in the world,--his family, birth
place, history, relatives, and attach
ments,-the property he may have in
expectancy or honors devolving by de-
scent,-why he is here and what are
his thoughtS,-are alone known to
him. He only receives news, reads
letters, listens to confessions, awards
punishments, manages finances, and
directs labor. His power is absolute.
From his fiat there is no appeal. The
term of his Office is life. He is the
father. The others are children. He
tells nothing If a relative has died,
he says at prayers, LET US pray for
the repose of the mother Of one of fus !"
if property has reverted, LET US
thank God, who has brought the es-
tate Of one of Us into His treasury
Beyond this he utters no word.
Our guide put on his scapulary and
We started to explore the buildings.
He then reminded US that at certain
places,--diningrooms, sleeping rooms,
and the church,-he should be COM
PEELED to observe silence. and that,
though our questions would remain
verbally Unanswered, he would still
endeavor to make himself ineligible
by signs. Following him, we inspect
ed chapel and sacristy, relics and Sa-
cred utensils, dormitory and church
yard. The sleeping room is never
warmed. In the depth of winter, the
monks, trembling with cold, rise at
haIf-past one. Fastening to the church.
they kneel two hours upon its icy pave
ment. They then repair to the com
mon room and read till four. Again,
the services of church till FIVE. Then
breakfast,-work in house and shop
and field till eleven,-dinner and re-
pose till one,-service again till two,
work till fve;-refreshment and re-
pose till eight,-the litany and salve
regina for half an when, return
ing to the common room, all throw
themselves upon the ground to pray
and repeat the Miserere. The father
prior then sprinkles them with holy
water, and at halfpast eight all retire
to rest.
We passed through the churchyard.
1t is sullen III its gloom. The grey,
damp earth is thrown up in hillocks.
The country around is inexpressibly
dreary. Within the enclosure there
was neither stone nor greensward,
Towering plant nor shrubbery, grav-
eled walk nor shade tree. 1t was to-
tai solitude, undisturbed silence, and
oppressive sadness. Here and there
appeared a black cross of wood with
the words, "Here. resteth brother
-." Other graves were name
less. They extend in parallel lines
from end to end. At the termination
Of the. outside furrow is an open grave,
dug on the day of the last interment,
where the monks mediate, not know.
ing whose resting place it will be-
When it closes upon its occupant
fresh one is opened beyond.
The period of novitiate is one year.
Each applicant must be of age and un-
married. A novice is free to with
draw. The VOWS once taken, howev-
er, are irrevocable. The Trappist is
dead to the world. He has neither
family name nor legal Inheritance,
rights of kin nor obligations of friend
ship, property nor reversion, success
ion nor antecedents, claims of human
ity nor benefits of legislation. To all
intents and purposes of life, he has
passed away. His own will is surren-
dered. Parents are strangers. broth
ers and sisters of blood aliens, dear
est friends, foes, highest civilizations of
society temptations, and the very af-
flictions which arrested worldly life
snares of the destroyer. He is the
slave of his spiritual father.
The prospect of scenery from Belle
fontaine is in keeping. Hills covered
with forests rise one beyond the 9TH
er. Stiffness reigns everywhere. At
great depth below is narrow valley,
thickly wooded and interspersed with
lakes. These form a moat around
the monastery. Their waters are
stagnant,-their hue dismal. Thick
exhalations arise morning and eve-
ming, and curling vapors hide the dark
grey towers.-New York Observer.
From the moon it takes five quar-.
ters of a second-that is, one second