The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-08-13
The Silent Monks IN Iowa.

Twelve miles from the city of Dubu-
que stands lonely monastery. the in
mates of which belong to the austere
order of st. Bernard They are called
Trappists, after the great monastery of
La Trappe in France 1t is the severest
order in the world. Perpetual silence
is strictly enforced. Each brother has
some particular employment. Farmers
for miles around have the work done at
the monastery. 1t is optional with
them to give recompense. A brother
told me that they have two monks
whose trade and industry have gained
for the house not less that $4,000.
thirty years ago sixteen monks left
the city Of Waterford, Ireland. They
sailed for America, but on their way
cholera set in. Six of them died on
the way from New Orleans to St Louis.
Their bones are now quietly rcposing
in the banks of the Mississippi. The
remaining ten chose wild aud DESC
late prairie for their future home. near
Dubuque Their first Winter was in
tcnsely severe. The snow was so deep
that wagons passed over fences without
difficulty. They purchased 1909 acres
at 25 cents an acre. That land is now
worth $40 an acre, aud the monastery,
when completed, will cost $3.50.
In regard to their rules. one of the
monks gave the following report ::
"The community (sixty in number)
must arise at 2 A. NJ. Seven hours are
allotted to meditation, prayer, etc. We
pray kneeling or standing. No brother
Is allowed to sit while praying or read
ing. Once month we go into the con-
sistory chapel and publicly accuse our
selves of all vanities and imperfections.
FLESH meat is never allowed except
to the sick. One meal and collation.
is allowed in Winter; two meals in
Summer. Our food is bread. milk and
vegetables. Ali the monks wear the
cowl and habit while in the house" p"
The old monk concluded I'VE live
by cur industry; we have no legacies.
incomes or intentions. except the fruit
Of our lands and our own industry"
Their stalls in the chapels are made
so they must either stand or kneel. Re-
citing the office they all lower their
heads at the names of the saints of their
order. and kiss the ground at the name
of the Father. Son or Holy Ghost.
Their summer aud winter garments are
of the same material. The cowl or
head lowering is attached to the habit;
. leather belt binds the tunic to the
body. Priests. brothers and abbot all
work in thc fields. There is awful
solcmnity about their discipline. See
ing them march. two by two, from the
chapel, / felt chill run through my
body. The long line of silent spectres
recalled to mind 50 many skeletons
marching to the grave. Not a sound
was made by their feet as they passed
under the hyssop of the abbot. The
abbot had a jewelled ring which no one
was allowed to kiss. Instead OF gold
or silver. he had in his hand an old
wooden erox;er. He had very prec-
ious relic for q pectoral cross. could
whit,ls better cross with my penknifc,
The string from which it Was suspended
did not cast more than FIVE cents fifty
wears ago. His habit was patched but
very clean. The Lord Abbot slept IN
the dormitory with the monks Over
his bad was little font and picture oi
Ionr,ies. Though he could not si'eak
in the dormisory, still he WAS entnasi
.s,ic about the luxury of an old h'ar
ket which he hung before his bed to
keep gu, the breeze Of winter.
sss told the Lord Abbot came IRON
a noble family. and freely bsrsere, ths
,,lc.,ures and wealth of this world iol
the lone and silent clois,er. There ver'
no casters or wine bottles on nis ,ap'e
Iust~ad Of silver plate aud sparknse
roblcts there stood before aim IN EARN
en- Jug, rusty knife. and wooden pls'e :,
This man wss once . Soudlcd chald o.