Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-01

poleon for hospital while on that me
morsble march, and that it contained
the bones Of large number Of So
diers who died from sickness and ia
tigue.
THE MONASTERY REACHED.
At { O'Clock the darkness had become
almost intense. and We were still toiliDg
up q path 50 steep that we should have
slipped back of the mules had we not
brsced ourselves against the bags Of hay
that were strapped behind us. and res0-
lulely grasped the short name on the
animals necks. The rain and sleet
we're still falling. and we we're almost
benumbed with the increasing cold.
We soon heard a welcome sOund-the
barking Of dogs-far up above Us,
and the guide volunteered the
thrice welcome information that the
HOspice was near at hand. In thirty
minutes more we stopped in front Of q
large stone building-the famous monas-
terry founded by the good monk, st.
Bernard. IN the year 9G2. A cheerful
light cleaned out Of several Of the
windows. which enabled us TO find the
entrance. where the guide rang a large
bell that Was suspended from an iron
crane fastened TO the stone wall. In a
few moments two monks, dressed in
long black gowns. tied around their
waists with wbite cords, appeared
at the door and gave Us q
warm welcome, their faces beam
ing with good nature and hospi-
tally. Ny friend and myself were 50
benumbed with cold. and the drenching
rain OF our long muleback ride, that
We were almost helpless. and had to be
lifted out OF our saddles. But the
monks were so kind. They took each
Of us BY an arm and led US into a room
where they had us exchange our
drenched garments for dry ones-gave
US warm woollen stockings and woollen
slippers in place Of the wet ones we had
on. Then, after trsversing a long
corridor. we were ushered into 3
large drawinc-room, finely furnish
ed and fitted up. where vel
come fire was blazing in large, old
fashioned fireplace. The walls Of the
room were finely decorated with beau
tiful paintings and engrsvings and rare
bric-a-brac. which were presents from
strangers who had been recipients Of
the Inequalities Of this noted monas-
terv. In one corner Of the room was
an elegant upright piano, which was
presented by the Prince Of Wales, and
therefore highly priced by the monks.
A richly-csrved harmOnium was the
gift Of Blumenthal. the composer, and
The several rare and costly paintings IN
their Tichly-gilt frames each bore the
inscription Of some grateful visitor.
Having become thoroughly warmed
before the blazing fire. and partly rest
ed from the fatigue Of our tiresorse
journey. the monks invited Us TO par
take Of q warm dinner which had been
prepared. The drawinc-room we were
in was also used g. a dIning-room, and
the long dining-table, with sixty or
more chairs placed around 1t. looked
deserted with only two guests present.
] asked the monk who waited on Us II
they ever had travellers enough to fiji
the table. and he said " Yes. At
this time Of the year there are not
chairs enmCh for the travellers making
the pass from Switzerland to Italy, and
from Italy 10 Switzerland. Often we
have two dinners 10 serve, one after the
other. and occasionally have as many
as 80 or 40 visitors arriving the same
day. who stay with us over night"
AT EARLY MORNING MASS.
Our dinner consisted Of soup, stewed
chamois. roast kid, plenty Of red wine,
and q dessert Of figs and nuts. The
monk informed us that the chamOis we
were eating was shot among the noun
tain peaks. not far from the Hospice,
the morning Of our arrival. Soon after
We had dispatched our dinner with keen
Appetites. we were shown TO our sleep
ing-room, monk leading the way
through gloomy corridors up stone
staircase 10 the second floor. where
We were ushered into & large cham
Der with four slcoves, each con-
tanning single bed. The furniture Of
this chamber was Of the most primitive
style, but everything was scrupulously
neat and clean. With plenty Of warm
blankets, and under down bed which
vas furnished each Of US, we slept
soundly and without experiencing any
discomfort from the intense cold, not
vithstanding the temperature was be
low zero. At al earl hour II the
morning we were awakened by the
barking Of dogs under our window
and the tOlliDg Of bell IL q distant
part Of the monastery. Getting up and
scratching the thick frost from the
window-panes, we saw dozen or
more Of the full-blooded famous ST.
Bernard dogs that were playing with
each other ike so many kittens
on the rocks outside. The evening pre-
vious one Of the monks informed Us
that the monastery bell would ring al 5
o'clock for early mass. and wishing to
be present. we hurriedly dressed and
found our way TO the chapel, IN
distant part Of the building. Ser
vices had already begun. The rich.
IMPRESSIVE voices Of male choir were
blending tremendously with the tones
Of an organ, played by master hand.
Although II was so early IN the morn
ing. there were over hundred per-
sons kneeling before the altar,
devoutly saying their prayers. Among
them was band Of Piedmoutese gyp-
sizes in their wierd, grotesque costumes
whom we had overtaken and passed the
day previous between Liddes and St.
Pierre. The chapel, which is Of large
size. is one Of the finest in Europe.
The ceiling is beautifully frescoed, and
the walls were covered with choice
scriptural paintings by the best mas
tiers. On the left Of the chapel as you
enter is an elegant marble memorial
erected by Napoleon to the memory Of
General Dessaix, vino was killed a.
the battle Of Marengo, after having
been chiefly instrumental in achieving
that great victory. His body lies be-
meath this monument.
A VISIT TO THE hoRGUE.