The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1877-09-05
CUEHosITTEs OF CONVENT LIFE.

heard Of the Convent of La Trappe, near
Antwerp, distinguished by its Peculiari-
ties from all others, l started early one
morning in August, 1874, with the ex-
press purpose of staying day or two
within the walls of the monastery.
Taking the diligence at headquarters
quite early, we rode along through a
highly cultivated country, with a fat,
stone-paved road stopped at little vii
lagap paboR two houfs out to water horses;
and then in about an hour arrived in the
vicinity of "the convent" Noticing
farmhouse near at hand, l went in and
took glass of milk, and, after chatting
haIf-hour with the healthylooking
peasant woman, inquiring about the
convent, whether many entered its walls,
who came and went, and multitude of
other questions which were all cheerfully
answered, took the road or path that
led to the monastery, and knocked at a
small deor to the left of the large
entrance. I had been told to tap at the
right hand door. Having rung bell
which was near at hand-which, by the
way, made loud noise, as all such bells
do make-the door slowly opened and a
monk appeared, muttering in low voice
and asking what l wanted. Reluctantly
giving me permission to enter, he con-
Quoted me across winding yard among
cultivated fruit trees, many pruned and
strung upon light supports. Grape
vines covered in many places the con-
vent walls; patches of vegetables and
bean vines, and various other necessaries,
were seen here and there, and looked
very refreshing. My guide led me into
a plain, but large room, where through
the open door I could see mass of rough
sculpture in bas-relief, upon the walls of
the large corridor or hall; skeleton
with the characteristic glass and scythe,
and other discouraging emblems. The
room where ne left me was the dining
room for strangers, or for any of the
craft" that might visit the convent
from time to time. The walls we're COW
cred over here and there with Latin,
French and Flemish Inscriptions, all in
black frames. There were the Madonna
and the picture of the crucifxion, here
| and there some patron saint, all toned
down by time and dust. When was left
alone in the room a venerable-looking
gray-haired old monk or q father" came
up to me, and asking him # ! could rest
4Eaa,sa
IIv ara esn nads !
len aohsexg ions oneeTaing aEaat !
/ might expect, and limiting for me to be
on hand about I1:30 o'clock, as that was
their dinner hour, he left me and was
alone.
This monk seemed to be the overseer of
the convent and a guide to pilgrims" "
who chance to visit the place. He was a
complete type of the ideal monk. For
81 years he had held his present Office,
and had been in the convent much
longer. After having observed the char
acter of the interior of the place before
me, I went out into the garden, took a
stroll here and there, seeing the hooded
monks fitting to and fro, looking upon
the ground and never speaking word,
as that is forbidden, eyeng among them
selves. It may seem strange, but it is
really SO, as l noticed many making signs
to each other. Not far away l noticed a
bench. Sitting down in the shadow Of
the wall, as the day was sultry and hot
| I noticed upon the soft, sandy soil
beneath me, the footprints of monks,
here and there the marks of their san
dals, as they assemble here daring the
evening or pass to and fro in their silent
meditations and promenades. There is
no noise here; now and then the sound
of labor rises from the workshops of the
convent-as there are many such, embrs'
cling every trade-and workman or two
following each particular metler."
The hour of eleven o'clock rang out
with a slow double stroke from the old
clock, and as the hammer rose and fell
the stroke repeated itself upon the mo
ment and the sound died upon the air
There was much of the Sabbath souns
as of doves in quiet neighborhoods," 81
that almost fell asleep and the old con
vent and it's garden and its monks, ant
the little belfry with its clock, and alto
gether it seemed to be partof the sultrJ
i dream. At this moment some on'
touched me quietly upon my arm, anc
standing near me was the old monk, WHIT
had come to call me to dinner. When
entered the room / noticed at glanc'
the priests already at the table-one OF
my left and the other two opposite. TW'
of them were young men, apparently
Just entering the priesthood-and Ifeunt
them quite gay companions afterwards
4 / remember how quietly the Dime
passed-how still and unbroken seemed
the silence. As they ate no meat of an.
kind, neither fish, the dinner wa
quite frugal. I remarked quietl!
to my left-hand neighbor tina
the plates seemed to be yer,
large. Up to this hour / had said bu
little, and they had been regarding m
curiously; but the old overseer seeme
to be very friendly, and was quite iamil
lar. I had, as did all, large bottle
r beer, made on the place, as they bre'
; their own beer. With the beer in quel
tion we had vegetables. The meal con
, menced with a soup of milk and breac
: substantial and not exciting to the men
I bers of the institution. made sui
| I