The New York herald., 1872-10-27


was perfect assault, each compartment being
taken by storm, anu the priests showing they could
maintain their positions as firmly as Pontihcal
Zouaves at Mentone. At last, every one
had place somehow, by favor Of some
extraordinary chance or other, and general
good humor returned Notwithstanding the
very trying circumstances These were caused by
the numerous small packages each pilgrim had set
out with. No luggage had been allowed beyond
what each could hold IN hand: out some mad nan.
Intended 50 the accumulation OF bags, bundles and
baskets overhead, underloot and In the interme-
risses @ 5eing Siiowea either for any but the inSrm
and helpless the mixture OF the layers OF this social
% oUu xs5y no Os to turn out comfort
rom his book ana trying to read BY the light Of the
train Of pilgrims is not ike proiane excursion
traln.n 4s &
grees the packages sunk into respective hoilows
and the passengers themselves gradually found
space for their elbows, each IN his or her neigh
put up with. When comparative ease was re-
stored prayers commenced on each car, the priest
who was highest in orders having the Magnificent
to say, and the others taking up the ltanes while
the lay or non-ecclesiastic pilgrims responded
UNTIL SLEEP coN9UERED FEEvoR. .u,.
But II aw0ke again with daybreak, and eyelds
were NO sooner uncosed than Te Deums were heard
from car to car, or psalms or the chaplet accord
reach LOurdes at five A. N. the 9Th October, the
finest sun shining over the Pyrenees that ever wei
coined sabbath In. II was quite refreshing
perienced travellers, who for the most part
had never left their parish in Paris for
any journey beyond some church or walk IN the en-
vlrons OF the capital. The snow that covered
mountain peaks by the side OF green, verdant
s
totally new to them, and some OF the priests even,
with their heads full OF learning, showed by their
nj and tnno hat hoA
gone further than their schools and converts.
LouYdes certainly In
LOVELY SPOT, A VERY GEM
dropped from one Of the mountain ridges nearest
heaven. Only part Of the scenery could be dis
.ae e
on one OF Its eminences.
AS the pilgrims had been told beforehand that
1t was not possible that small place, contain
ing 4,5O0 inhabitants, could accommodate $4,000
pilgrims assembling there from all parts OF France,
Of but still ali noprshed very
legitimate hope that they could get place In the
open air to lie down on, 50 modest were they in
their requirements. In this, at least, they were
not disappointed, for on looking about they were
rewarded with shelter, II not beds, in the village
q part in my narrative in which find must speak
studied my map OF Lourdes. with carpet.Dag in
hand up TO the .hOspice," an asylum for the sick,
knew that the heroine Of the place, Bernadette
extraordinary vision at the Massabielle
Grotto. l was less ANXIOUS to gain admittance
within tins asylum for the purpose Of obtaining
rest than for that OF procuring Information from
the Sisters who had had the child under their roof
and lived In daily intercourse with her. proposed
making friends with the good people at the hOsptce
at any cost, to see, to question and put facts TO-
gether.
THE HOsPICE OF LOURDEs
is very poor institution, though 1t is rendered
healthy and inviting by the great economy and in
dustry Of the sisters VINO keep 1t. 1t stands on
country around. When ascended the path lead
ing to the entrance the Sisters decorating 1t
ey hanging I garanaGs nG nom poplar
which were painted sentences from the Scriptures
and the Christian virtues to be practised here be-
tune was black, relieved by white muslin caps
tightly bound on the forehead and having stir
borders in front, which supported their wells, leav
ing their faces uncovered.
Five or six monks came up behind me, not know
ing exactly where was going, but impressed by
my apparent confidence, very likely, with con-
victiOn tnat Imeant to find room and trusting they
might be as successful
"My good Sister," said one Of them to Q very
fresh h-colored and energetic looking "sGur," who
put down her festoons to come and greet us, 1--WE
are poor pilgrims, and beg you win Keep our bags
''Say mass my good friarsr exclaimed the Sis
ter 'God grant you all may. but many holy man
priests round every altar who have been waiting
long hours for their turn since last midnight and
are no nearer now to mass than my soul is to Para
At this Information the priests we're greatly dis.
tressed.
''there Is nothing like trying; will show you
do nothing more"
"Bedsl" exclaimed the Sister, as II I had asked
for something never heard OF before. "Well, yes,
the ailing, and we have given our own up to lie
down on the 1oor."
aereupon the priests followed her. for after the
manned under the porch, and when the monks had
hurried by after having placed their worldly goods
under charge, detained the Sister by her spacious
sleeve, and gained SO much Of her confidence
that before LETT her or let her go she half promised
SPARE CORNER IN REMOTE ROOM
for the night adding that perhaps, as was willing
to put something in the poor box in return for any
kindness shown, she might be able to find mat
the clock struck twelve, as father Of the Church
by which she meant one OF the bishops-might
claim her hospitality, and there was positively but
that one corner left. When this was settled hur-
rled away In the direction OF
THE GROTTOEs OF AAsSABIELLE,
the centre to which all were bound. l needed no
directions having but to follow the multitude,
when entered the principal street, which Is bor-
dered with rrsgnlary built houses backed with
proceeded 20 the principal place" OF the village,
preparations Tor a general Illumination in the
evening. then struck of to the right, following
ns % aea
road that goes winding through admirable and
grand scenery not stopping until came to a
bridge which crosses the noisy, rushing
Gave. There l stood In order to study
the aspect OF the country and people
attentively. The former is wild in some parts,
charmingy peaceful in others; green pasture
land, thick woods, sharp rocks stand In the FORE
ground, With snowy peaks rising at the back, thus
mingllng wild aspertty and winning smiles in one
glance. A41
THE PILGRIMS
The same extreme contrasts were observable IN
the animated population streaming by me. Here
was hoary, white-headed age; here came the mid
dle-aged mountaineer with his knOtty stick, his
sunburned face, dark, 1ashing eyes and huge limbs;
here the wrinked, tOttering matr0n, saying her
beads as she went along; here the beautiful south
ern maids OF Aries and Bay0nne, In their red, blue
and yellow capulets, walking on like queens
and as dignifed as Roman women; here
passed the Basque peasant, in his COL
ored berYt, his shaggy loose coat, CATERS and
earrings; here passed the sharpchinned
cheeks and features cast in the same mould as
hazao a Henrx lV Then iOsfpd "