Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-09-30
A Country Without Women.

| iiAs far as information extends, there is
1onty one territory .iof any size, and never
1, has been but one, occupied by any cousid.
cradle population, from which woman is
absolutely excluded. A description of this
singular spot, known geographically these
3,OO0 years, but the social popularity of
which, though dating back many centu-
ries, seems never to have been noticed be.
fore the Simonides INNS. controversy Of
1S63-64. may be readily given.
Reference is here made to the eastern.
most Of the three ton CUES Of land which
project from the north coast of the Greek
Archipelago. 1t is the old peninsula Of
Acte-now called Monte Sancto--of. which
Mount Athos forms the terminating point
a conical mass Of limestone shooting Up
abruptly to- the height of &, 1850 feet, with
its base clothed with pines, and its bare
peak lighted with sunbeams, it has been
for ages an object of admiration to mari.
ncrs From its chapel on the top, visited
only on tho 9th of August every year by
i'monks to say mass, the Thcssalian shores,
penetrated by clear blue waters, the Mace.
donian submits, and Pelion, Ossa and
Olympus may be seen. In the days Of in.
expert navigation, its neighborheod was
greatly dreaded Xerxes, to avoid rough
ing the seas around its base, cut canal
across the peninsula. Greek pilots put
far out to sea, in old days, to shun it, dan
gers And even modern navigation. with
the advantages Of steam, gives wide beiti
to its uncertain waters .,-........'.
Between this bold headland and the
coast, occupying plateau Of moderate ele-
walton, where cultivated fields are diversi-
fed with woodlands of chestnuts and oaks,
and big trees and olives are indigenous,
dwels monastic confederation of Greek
Christians. They have twenty three con.
vents, and number in all something more
than 1000 souls. On the hillsides and all
through the defiles aud ravines are scat.
tered innumorable crosses and retreats,
cells and hermitages. Though these con.
ventua houses are bound together by the
tic of religious seclusion, the history Of
each is Independent. Two Of the monas-
taries claim Constantine as their founder
two others, the Empress Pulcheria. Not
one Of the twenty three dates its fouuda-
ton later than the twelfth century. These
fraternities had the prudence to submit to
Mohammcd III. prior to the fall Of Constan-
tinoplc, and received from him promise
of protection, which has been respected
ever since. Though the domain is part of
the Turkish empire, not a rod of it is
claimed in property by the Sultan or a
Mussulman subject. An annual tribute of
about S, 800 is paid by the whole penin.
sula towards which the different societies
contribute their share. according to an as
scssment determined by their representa-
tives. Each convent sends a deputy TO q
diet which manages general interests, aud
holds its sittings at karyes, small town
occupied by carvers of crosses, and the
residence Of a solitary Turkish official who
collects the revenue. .-..... ...
At the entrance Of the peninsula. few
soldiers in the pay of the meoastic bodies
are stationed, for the purpose Of excluding
iu,ruders No woman is allowed to cross
the frontier The prohibition is Of long
standing, originated partly by superstition
and partly for the better maintenance Of
ascetic discipline. Absurdly enough, the
rule is extended to every other femslecr
ture. Hence, from time immenor.al. no
COW, mare. hen duck, goose slut, or She
cat, has ever been permitted to make &C.
quaiutance with hill or valley, farm-yard
or kitchen. OF Mount Athos territory. But
despite all this, hairs will pair aud birds
mate, aud every traveller who has passed a
night under the hospitable roof of any one
Of the score of converts, knows that both
the king and queen Of feas keep their
court there. aud reign over legions of sub
jects. But. in their purchases of poultry
to faiten. or dogs for the chase, or horses
for riding. the monks chnose males only
OF course there is no milk on the peninsu
Ia. If she-cats are not tolerated, tom cats
are ia great favor. -J
Up to 1868, few Europeans. had ever
visited these monasiaries. Since then,
no, few scholars. tempted by suggestions
about ancient papyri which the Coder Sin
oficus controversy provoked, have every
year been exploring the old libraries and
turning ever the masty manuscripts. The
way is now plain enough. and proper
letter Of recommendation unloeks all the
secrets Of the ancient houses.
But in 1887. when Carzon, an eminent
psrayraphist. presented to the Patriarch at
Constautinople letter ofintroduet'cn from
Dr. Howley. Archbishop of Canterbury,
the long-bcsrded digniiary gave the de-
sired patrisrchal sheet to the English
traveller. II acted as a ia'isman. The
monastic authorities Of Mount Athos paid
lin every attention. lie visited the libra
rics aud explored the mauuscripts--said
masses aud ate at the ordinary-lived in a
cell and did pensnce on the monntaIn--
became, in fact. SO much one Of the eommu.
niiy a- to gain to'erable insight into their
Law Of life A monk who was his daily
compauion told him his story. lie came
from village in Roumelia, but did not re-
member its name. His parents had been
1 msssacred and he nut 10 q eonventual