National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-21
INSIDE OF A CONVENT.
4 DEsCRTPTION or the ACADEMY or
TISITITION Ar GEORGE TOHN.

The Lie Led by the Pupiis-Their Dormi-
tories, Libraries, Comforts and Bill Of
Pare - A Delightful Retreat hrom the
World.
The Academy Of the Visitation, which is at
tsche,l b. the old monastery and chapel at GEORGE
town Is perhaps, the hncst cdhce built for the pur;
trusted q red Irirs with trimmings Of iisht sand
stone. and is magnihccntly situated in one corner
Of farm OF forty acres. The gardens surrounding
derp, walks pdrterrts and beds Of flowers while he
yond the garden wall stretches the childrcns play
ground which Is diversified by hin and dale and
there r. an English beach, n tree which changes In
the shade Of it, leaves three times during the year.
NJ this season u il conspicuous In dress Of dark
green tn,e,l with crimson.
The view frUul the observatory Of the Academy
dtscloses The city of Washington, Arlington. the
Virginia hills, the Long bridge and the Potomac IN
a near range Of the grounds. The entrance hall Is
wide and ANY the nOors and staircases are OF oiled
walnut and oak. and the parlors and drawing
rootns are finished in the same manner and fur
| nished with heavy walnut and hsircloth uphol-
stsrinE Fine paintings cover the walls, ana among
Free Homo The grating which separates these
room, from the Nuns parlor is merely lattice Of
School- rom are all bright. cheerful apartments
upon the hrst aoor. Upon the second floor arc the
music rucTs and the Odcon, magnificent hall
lighted by large windows Of stained glass. There
are two stages raised one above the other, and en-
closed with low railing Of oak. Here are two
hne Dl1ntr AMI d nArn. AMI upon DlStFlDNllbH
the GRADUATES receive their prizes; and commence
ment eNcrvises take place In this hall.
Upon the third floor are the dDrmitories which
are sixty feet long AMI thirty wide, and are the
| attractive features Of the house. On either side Of
the dnrmitlIics, under the sunny windows. Is q
uug row or light iron bc,iStra,is with curtains aud
spris 1t sp0tlcSs white linen Al the side Of each
| litle bel Il toilet, rirnshrd aud kept with
the same neatness. and at the foot OF each room
there II a shrine. which II OTnnmcnte,l each day
with frr~h flowers. In Of them the shrine Is
amer copy Of the Grottn OF IouT'is, and is d'my
VIA, Sat he babe pormit"ry * very much
like tho-e f'r girls Of older grOwih-the tiny cots
ant toilet stands are no les inviting and comfort
able.
The library, where the scholars spend three or
tour pleasure evenings each week, Is an elegant
apartment lighted by long windows, shaded with
lace curtains. In the stained glass window at the
bnt Of the room there Is an oratnry Of the Sacred
Heart. and burning taper. The Hoor Of the room
gray. cove,sd with Fuses The walls are lined with
Eases Of valuable books, and there Gre
SEPARATE LIBRARIES
IL French and German books. Handsome easy
covero.i with art Journals English, french and
German magnzineSs and art studies and in inches
and CORNERS OF this inviting spot little stands
hlleti with ornimentS and uf gifts from friends.
The Sosaltty Is small room fitted up beautifully
br society belonging To- the school.
\ hanstsome statue Of II. Alyoslus. the patron
of Youth AMI study. stands at one end nf the roon
and the shrine Of the Virgin h covered with n lace
veil and orange blossoms. which were sent for that
| purp's-e by a nrmer pupil. who wore them al her
br'al. Opposite tn this stands two elegant ban.
ners upon gilt standIrS; one upon a square Of gd
cloth contains picture Of the Sacred Heart the
other OF whit silk with gold embroidery. con-
ttins copy Of Nurillos immaculate Conception.
Outside this rnnm Is wide hall, at one end Of
whirh is an immense window of stained glasI
which opens and diScloses the O'leon below.
The xraduate's ruOm Is fitted up with complete
sst Of astronomical and philosophical instruments:
Including an electric machine, an air pump, and
several large bras rehectnrs
The drawing and painting. room Is also fitted up
with every convenience, and there are accom-.
plished teachers tor this aud the musical depart
ment
Fnpnl observation of the RrOuus of hNppy