Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-25
TRAPPIsFs IN KENTUCKY.

The Irish Canadian gives an interesting
account Of visit to a Trappist monastery
in Kentucky, halfway between Lebanon
Junction and Covington, at Gethsemane.
The surrounding country is dreary to the
last degree. With the exception of the
railway station there is not another house
within miles. A colored boy OF IA
eating peanuts was the only being visible
at the station. " / asked him If | could
see the station master, whereupon he
quickly told me that he was that function
airy. He didn't stop eating the peanuts.
| asked him if could get some one to show
me the way to the monastery, he pointed
20 a lot of sorry steeds, ready saddled, and
said, Take one and let the boss go by his
| self and you is all right, and so it proved.
The road was of the widest and destitute
of all human habitations, AT length the
convent came In view. As L approached
it l came to an archwsy all covered with
| flowers, the first sign of life l had seen
since | left the railroad, and thence for
about quarter OF mile passed down
delightful walk bordered by the most
exquisite and fragrant flowers" He then
passed through three gates, each guarded by
a venerable janitor-It reads like the Mys-
teries of Udolpho-and on reaching the
| third told very venerable custodian that
he should like to see the monastery. He
now found himself in a lovely garden fail
of splendid fruit and brilliant flowers ID
the center rose colossal statue OF the
| Virgin. out of a little forest of fragrant
roses. Passing through this Eden, the door
of the monastery itself was gained. He
was shown into the parlor, and the abbot
was summoned. q. a monk presently ap-
| o1o yuhr iarup JUOn1gr1
cross was in his belt, TO which was attached
cord which went :around his neck. He
had wooden ring on his finger. He proved,
to the visitors surprise, to be the abbot.
He was a foreigner, had very brusque man
ners, talked very quick, and seemed ex'
tremely well posted on beth American and
European politics. He gave the impression
of an exceedingly clever man. When he
? left, the prior, a very handsome young
r Englishman, came to show the visitor his
l room. On the way to it he noticed ar
l mortal bearings over several doors. Tne
D prior explained that there were in the con
: vent several noblemen from Europe, who
f; while not wishing to be monks, desired
r deep seclusion. The bedroom and supper
I were of the very plainest. A number G
colored farm hands were at the table
a eve were waited upon by two walters
4 and on the edge of their snow-white apron
j. were the words, Hotel Gethseman,'
o felt very much like asking whether thei
# hotel was conducted on the European plan.
o No one spoke word. All lights were on
# at 7:30. At 2 A. ii. the visitor repaire
e to the chapel. To his chagrin there wa
:. no instrumental music, and the voice
d were those of worn.out men. '' RENAME
Il until 6. AS l sat listening l thought G
d what buried hopes and crushed ambition
,s must sometimes lie beneath a Trappiss
cowl." At they breakfasted, and by
special favor he, albeit Protestant, wa
!, allowed to go through the house. The Ia
! brothers wear brown, the priests whit'
:, The monks were laughing, smiling an
y making signs, speech being strictly 10
- hidden. Nearly all were middle-aged,
: few very old. For nine months they liv
: on one meal a day; for three on two, an
= they seem to thrive on this regimen. t
- was struck with the whiteness of the
teeth. Butter. eggs and meat are on
- allowed in sickness. Their life is one pr
: tracted modification, and they are
y dead to the world as though In their grave