The New York herald., 1872-10-27
ia DAME de MASSABIELLE.
The Great French Catholic Pill
grimagc to Lourdes.
FIFTY THOUSAND PILGRIMS ON THE SPOT.
History Of the Virgin Visions Of Berna-
dette Soubirous.
THREE PEASANT GIRLS PICKING BRAMBLES.
Appearance Of the Woman in
White to Bernadette.
Bursting Forth Of the Mi
raculous Spring.
A RAILROAD JOURNEY OF PSALMS.
Lodging the Partisan Pill
grims at Agen.
ARRIVAL At LOURDES.
Mass and vespers Sung Beneath
the Pyrenees.
SKETCH OF THE SUPPLIANTS.
SKETCH OF THE SUPPLIANTS.
Impressive Scenes and Historic Mem
cries Before the Shrine.
THE voICEFUL PRAYERS
vive la France! Vive pEglise !!
Vive le Pope!
AGEN Gor-Er-GARoNNE), France, /

AGEN (LOT-ET-GAKONNE), FRANCE,
Oct. g. 1872. !
The religious manifestation am about to de-
scribe is one OF the most extraordinary that has
been recorded in the history Of this century, and
can only be compared to the antique celebrations
Of past ages. 1t Is gigantic exodus OF voluntary
pilgrims and several thousand priests gathering
from every part Of France round the famed grotroes
OF Massabielle in the village Of Lourdes Hautes-
Pyrenees), for the purpose OF obtaining through
prayer the
REGENERATION, CONVERSION AND PEACE OF FRANCE.
The present pilgrimage consists OF $4,000 travel
lers including those from Paris as well as from the
principal provncial al cities, but not the thousands
Of pilgrims from other parts belonging to the dio-
cese OF the department in which Loudres itself is
situated. The great idea is to reach the spot by
tomorrow, the 9th instant, when five bishops are
to Onlciate at mass and vespers at i've different
affairs erected among the mountains, and where as
many OF the priests who are crowdng thither are
also to say low mass, one after the other, at the
numerous churches and side chapels for miles and
miles around. In consequence Of
THE nARNsE C0NC0URsB OF PILGRIMS
the administration Of the Orleans Railway Com
pany have wisely concluded that the two trains
which left Paris yesterday, 4th October, containing
$50 persons each, and myself as eyewitness among
the number, should be detained few hours at
u.
withstanding the great anxiety expressed to pro-
ceed without delay this halt which breaks the jour-
ney in two, is considered provident as it VIII avoid
great encumbrance at the small station OF Lourdes,
perhaps also positive danger. For my own part 1
appreciate 1t entirely as it affords me an oppor-
tunity OF giving your readers Retrospective &C.
count Of Lourdes and OF
THE ORIGIN OF THE PILGRIMAGE.
thither. There is, moreover, SO much TO be told
that 1t is well to narrate the events OF the past
fourteen years before those OF the present are en-
tered into. First, Lourdes is q small and pic
turesque village in the French Pyrenees. whether
the traveller be route for Barreges SaintSauveur,
Cauterets or Bagneres-de-Big or whether the
tourist be leaving Cauterets or Pau for Luchon he
he must pass by Lourdes. This little spot is
centre whence all the roads to the thermal sta
tions radiate; and yet no one knows any more
about 1t than II 1t mad not fortress on the top OF
rock, and had not been besieged by Charlemange
and were not the key OF the Pyrenees.
MY own souvenirs Of Lourdes are very indistinct
and would not undertake to reproduce them,
though remember having, many years ago, been
greatly interested in the place now In such repute
from having heard strange tale about the mighty
Saracen chief who was master Of the fortress
WHEN CHARLEMAGNE MARCHED OUT
to drive him from the stronghold. Other stories Of
brgand chiefs who lived up the rock, like eagles
In their nests caused me on one occasion to 90 q
long way out of my route for a look at the venera
BILE pile. But that was years ago, and though the
River Gave may still roll on tumutuously at the
foot OF that rock, 1t Is probable the village has un
dergone changes and will not appear poetic as it
did when imagination was young and railways did
not shrek through mountain passes.
/ have to come to the realities of the present
and they read SO much like fiction that need seek
no recollection to make Lourdes interesting. Up
80 the year 1858 this village was to every one
nothing but what have just said OF 1t, thorough
fare to the Winter stations. Since then it has be-
come famed for
MIRACULOUS SPRING
and other miracles too numerous to relate here
What adds to the wonderment OF all who know
anything about Lourdes is this Every person
connected with the stories related is alive; their
names, their dwellings are known; they have been
questioned and cross-questioned; they have been
brought up before the authorities and officials
have been examined and found-perfectly sincere
The other remarkable fact is that the clergy and
bishops were opposed to the propagation OF the
great event which marked the origin OF the re-
gtous celebrity Of Lourdes.
The following are the facts related by thousands
and de ptsu:-On the 11th of February, 1865, the
day being clear and mild
THREE LITTLE GIRLS
were sent out to pick up sticks in the direction OF
the Grotto OF Massabiele. Two were sisters,
Marie and Bernadette Soubrous, the other girls
name Is Jeanne Abadie, neighbor. They were OF
very poor parents, SO needy that the sticks they
were to bring home were the fuel waited for by
which to cook the family dinner. Marie Sou
birous was healthy and strong; but Bernadette,
her elder by few years. was troubled with asthma
and though only fourteen was so delicate that she
did not look more than ten. This Bernadette had
not been brought up at home, but by friend OF her
mother, living at Bartres and who, for the small
sum OF hve francs month, provided her with lodg-
nk and food. It had been arranged that she should