Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-27
A TRAPPIST MONASTERY.

The Severe Restrictions Placed Upon Mem.
bers of the Order.
8 The building is situated on an en-
inenee that commands the whole of the
beautiful lake and the mountains from
which it derives its name. The mon
astery itself is large square building,
solidly built of wood ona stone founda-
ton. built at the expense of the Domin-
ion Government. which also gives an
annual grant to help support the in
stitution. This order has only been
established in Canada about two years.
They were driven out of France dur
inc the late political troubles there,
and forbidden ever to return. They
being thus cast upon the world. natur-
ally sought protection in the Province
of Quebec, that great stronghold of
Romanism. 1t Is pretty generally
known that these monks are the most
rigorous of any order. They are also of
very ancient origin: they were founded
in the six tn century by the Abbot of La
Trappe; they were reformed in the
year 1150. again in 1000.
The driver. who performed the Office
of guide and interpreter, soon made
the attendant in charge understand
that the lady and gentleman wished to
inspect the institution. He was an
swered by a very low bow, speech be-
ing strictly forbidden unless by per-
mission OF the Father Superior of the
monastery. However, he went to COM
municate with that gentleman. who
soon came forward and urbanely well
coined his guests in good English with
French accent. He was a man about
six feet in height. OF good build. He
was rather progressing In appear
ance. and when he spoke his face was
particularly attractive, owing to a
very genial expression and somewhat
humorous twinkle in his eye, His
head was cleanly shaved.' all but a
short. close fringe of hair about an
inch long all the way round. He was
dressed in long robe of cream-colored
serge that reached down to his ankles.
displaying low. cut shoes, and stock
ings of the same color as his robe.
Over this robe he wore another gar
ment, sort of overdress without
sleeves, composed of black material OF
finer grade than the serge. This
latter had sort of cowl or hood at
tached to it. -r5 f-s.sE sssEEz $50
He was very polite to the visitors.
and informed them that while he would
be delighted to show the gentleman
all over the establishment, it was
strictly against all usage to allow a
lady the same privilege. Personally,
he was entirely at madame's service;
but-with a true Partisan shrug of the
houlders-madame knows we must
obey orders. So madame was fain to
st in the reception-room. while her
husband explored the monastery, and
learned the manners and customs of
its inmates; but the lady did not keep
a solitary vigil. as a handsome young
lay brother did his best to entertain
her, although I am sadly afraid he
transgressed the rules by talking so
much. But, shades of good st. An
thony, was there not woman in this
casea The Artist returned to his wife
ecstatic Such pictures as he had
seen! Oh, if one could always live with
these Trappists there would be no lack
of subjects. After going through the
dormitories and other portions of the
building, he had gone out into the
fields and watched the brothers at their
work of reaping and gathering in the
harvest, for they do all their own
work, both outdoor and in,