The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-30

head to feet the relic comes in for oscu-
latory worship. Generals, colonies,
countesses, milkmaids and peasants
passed in an unbroken stream,
while on each side nun was
selling chaplets, book-markers and
medals to such as could afford
to buy. As 1 passed out I was much
struck by the black headpiece and robes
of the nuns. Though 1 begged some of
them to stay a moment on their way
from church to convent they were too
shy. They were in groups of twos and
threes, standing or sauntering, and wear
ing their curious fifteenth century head
dress. Their black wells and their long
sleeves stood out we'll against wall on
which brilliant sunlight threw up the
early monastic decoration of impossible
flowers and grotesque detail. till the
whole looked like a page of some old
missal or the pictures in that magic Per-
sian book which were gifted with life and
motion. As very much wanted to make
a sketch of the nuns costume and as no
encouragement was given me here, prob
ably because the service had only Just
terminated, I went to another convent at
some distance from the Kremlin, the
Rajestvesky monastery, hoping at least
there to get glimpse of some
benevolent sister who would fulfill
my wish. After passing under gate
way at the head Of fight of steps on
which picturesque but nasty beggars were
sitting or lying,a dvornik or porter car.
ried my wishes to sister, who came to
the door of winding staircase and took
in the situation with merry eyes and
comic grin on her very Russian face.
She wore the complete costume OF q nun
who had not taken vows, the tall casque-
like head piece made of black velvet and
trimmed with black fur, coming low on
the forehead, descending over the ears
and rising again over the nape of the
neck. To this is attached bavolet or
curtain of black silk, falling and wind
ing over dress of black silk. relieved
by white linen round the neck above q
broad, flat collar of velvet. The long,
full sleeves and the folds taken in at the
back of the waist completed what is re-
ally q most graceful costume. On ask.
ing permission to sketch her, my merry
young religieuse disappeared up the car.
peted stairs with my card, which she
had requested; and presently 1 heard
sweet voice belonging to the lady Alb
bess herself. This lady, whose distin-
guished appearance and perfect manners
court before she ever entered cell,
begged me to come into the convent.
The nuns some eighty or one hundred
in number. were just going into the re-
fectory, and if l would wait I'M
q, h.
they had taken their places,
the holy mother would give me every
opportunity in her power to notice her
flock. ] was received in her drawing
room, filled with palm trees, India rub
Der plants and photographs of the en-
peror and empress and of the Metropoli.
tan of Moscow, with views of the convent
and church. In this room I was given the
best coffee and the thickest cream ever
dreamt Of, with O basketful of sweet
cakes and waters. While talking to the
abbess, just as in any London or Paris
salon at five o'clock tea, the bell rang
and was ushered into the dining hall,
on either side of which was long table,
and two rows of ladies of oil ages, whose
profound bows to the lady superior did
not prevent them from taking stock of
your correspondent. The youngest
novices wore on their heads tall pointed
cap like that We give to q wizard in a
fairy tale. The four rows of long black
robes and caps bowling ontinually dur
ing the few minutes we remained made
the meeting look like the stern picture
Of the Inquisition. AS they were hun.
cry, l retired as soon as | could, bowling
my thanks. The abbess semi for novice
10 sit to me. The novice was a little
girl, ten years old, rather tall for her
age, but with round baby face and
blue eyes. With the full sleeves of her
dress and her little fairy cap on her
head, she looked as if she had stepped
ont of picture by Holbein on to the
parquet before me.-London News.
The Secret Of Certain Popularity.
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