The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-20
a MUS Daily Lire.

and the most famous Irish nun Slice tho
time Of st. Bridget, is Sister Mary Frances
Clarct of the convent of Kenmarc, Ill tho
county Kerry. In religion she Is called
Sister Frances III literature she still re-
tains her family name of Cusack; but in
the hearts and homes Of the Irish race, in
| every CLINE and country, SHE ls known
| only and honOrcd and beloved as "tho
Nun of Kcnmare." No woman in Irish
history was ever 30 widely known during
her own lifetime; and no Irish nun, during
her own lifetime, ever before welded an
influence 30 benc1cent and widespread.
Her books, both devotional and historical,
have a larger circulation than tho books cf
| any other Catholic author now living. Tho
nun has written fifty Or sixty books, do
votional, biographical and historical; and
they enjoy high reputation among
scholars as well as tho people. Catholic
critics and students, from the Pope down,
have spoken in terms Of great admiration
OF these books, and eminent Protestant
| writer's have been equally laudatory. Her
chief historical books arc a History of Ire
land, History of Cork, History of
Kerry-large octave volumes. And her
principal biographical books arc lives of
OConnell, Father Matthew, st. Patrick,
st. Bridget and st. Columbia-cach, also,
an elaborate study. Her devotional books
are very numerous and form an exclusively
or rather distinctively Catholic library.
More than half a million of copies of these
books have been sold. She has contributed
hundreds of essays to periodical literature,
and never week passes in which letters
from her pen do not appear In newspapers
! of England, the United States, or Australia.
There are twenty-five nuns in tho con-
vent Of kcnmarc. and recent visitor
asked this question concerning their daily
life:
"Now, Sister Frances, over since read
in Shake speare the advice Hamlet gives to
Ophelia-'do get thee to nunncry,'
have just been dying, 80 to speak, to know
the daily routine Of nuns life. Viii you
tell me4"
"Oh, yes. The nuns rise Ut tivo in the
morning. Each nun who is able to do 80,
takes it in turn to call all the rest. Indeed
she has to get up before five, rs 1t takes
and open the doors. Every nun is In The
church at six o'clock, and then we have
prayers for III hour, which help us TO Gods
work through the day and gives us good
thoughts Of heaven and holy things. At
half-past seven wo have mass. At half
past eight we have break fast, aud, as wo
live az much as possible like the poor peo-
pie, We use only bread and tea for break
fast. at dinner we have meat, except on
fast days, which you know, are pretty
frequent. If tho sisters choose, they take
some bread and cocoa in tho middle Of the
aaX and YSn sy syy ssrs nssd i M teF
in the schools. They 60 to them at nino
o'clock, and arc on duty until three Some
of the sisters are only half al hour out of
the school during this time.
We dine at $50. We do nearly all our
own WOrk-make our own beds and wash
our plates and dishes. AT 4.3O we all
meet together TO enjoy ourselves for an
hour and talk over the events Of the day.
This is what we call recreation, and can
assure you we enjoy ourselves. If those
who think convent gloomy place and
nuns life an unhappy one, could come TO
q convent recreation for a few days they
would be soon unuccciyed.
We 90 to the church at half-past five. At
seven O'clock we have tea. After that we
again meet together for recreation. At
eight o'clock we 90 to church again TO
thlnk OF our good God and to pray 10 Him
tor every one; and you may be sure, added
the nun. ''that wo do not forget our good
American friends, Protcstants US we'll as
Catholics. We 80 to our rooms-or cells
as we call them-at half-past nine and
most oi the nuns are asleep at teu o'clock.