The Hartford herald., 1875-03-17
LED ASTRAY.
TRANSLATED PROM THg FRENCH or
OCTAVE FEUILLET.
2Srn SEPTEMBER.

10TH SEPTEMBER.
had the satisfaction of discovering in
the library Of the marquis the historical
documents ! needed. They form, indeed,
a part of the ancient archives of the ABB
hey, and have a special interest for the
family of Malouet 1t was one William
Malouet, a very noble man and knight,
who, about the middle Of the twelfth cen-
tury, with the consent Of Messieurs his
sons, Hughes, Fouigues, John, and Thom>
as, restored the church and founded the
Abbey in favor of the order of the Bene-
dictine monks, and for the salvation of his
soul and of the souls OF his ancestors,
granting unto the congregation, among
other dues and privileges, the fee-simple Of
the lands Of the Abbey, the tithe of all its
revenues, half the wool OF its fiocks, three
loads of wax 20 be received every year at
Mount Saint Mich el on the-sea; then the
river, the moors, the woods, and the mill,
ct molendinum in eodeum stu. | took
pleasure in following through the wretched
latin of the time the description of this fa-
miliar Landscape. 1t has not changed
The foundation charter bears date las.
Subsequent charters show that the Abbey
OF Rozel as in possession, in the thirteenth
century, Of a sort of patriarchate over all
the institutions of the order of Saint Ben.
edict that were then in existence in the
province of Normandy A general chap
Ger of the order was held there every year
presided over by the Abbot Of Rozel, and
at which some ten or dozen other con-
vents were Represented by their highest
dignitaries. The discipline, the labors,
the temporal and spiritual management
of all the Benedictines Of the province
were here controlled and reformed with
severity which the minutes of these little
councils attest in the noblest terms. These
&C mes, replete with dignity. took place in
that Capitulary Hall now so shamefully
defled.
Aside from the archives, this library Is
very rich. and this is apt 10 divert atten>
ton. Moreover the vortex of worldly dis
sipsfion that RACES in the chateau is not
without occasionally doing some prejudice
10 my independence. Finally my worthy
hosts frequently take away with one hand
the liberty they have granted me with the
other: like many persons of the world,
they have not very clear idea of the de
gree of connected occupation which de-
serves the name of work, and an hour or
two Of reading appears TO them the utmost
extent Of labor that man can bear in
day. i
Consider yourself wholly free," Mon
sienr de Mslouet tells me everv morning;
''go up TO your hermitage; work at your
ease"
An hour later be is knocking at my
door:
"Welli are we hard at workT' '
why. yes. ! am beginning to get into
What the deuce You have been at
it more than two boursl You are killing
yourself my friend. However, you are
free. By the way, my wife is in the par
lor; when you have done you'll 60 and
keep her company, won't your"
Most undoubtedly will.
But only when you have entirely done
of course" :
And be goes off for hunt or ride by
the seaside. As TO myself, preoccupied
with the idea that am expected, and sat-
isfed that shall be unable to do any fur
ther work of value, j soon resolve to GO
and join Madame de Malouet, whom i find
deeply engaged in conversation with the
parish priest, or with Jacquemart (of Bor-
oeau1E one mas uleIurpeo ule, am ~
her way, and we smile pleasantly to each
other
Such is the manner 10 which the mid.
die Of the day usually passes of.
In the morning, ! ride on horsebacE
with the marquis, who is kind enough to
spare me the crowd and tumult Of the gen,
eral riding parties In the evening. i take
hand at whist, then / chat awhile with
the ladies. and try my best to cast off al
their feet my bears skin and reputation
for dislike TO display any eccentricity o.
my own, this one rather more so than any
other. There lie a grave disposition, wher
carried to the point ofstiffness and ill-gract
toward women, something coarsely pedan,
tic. that is unbecoming in great talents
and ridiculous in lesser ones retire af
terward, and work rather late in the Ii.
brary. That's the best of my duty.
The society at the chateau is usually
made up Of the marquis guests, who art
always numerous at this season, and few
persons of the neighborhood. The object
of these entertainments on a grand seal,
is, above all, To celebrate the visit of Mon,
eieur de Mslouet's only daughter, who
comes every year to spend the autumn