The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-18
THE CHARTREUsE SECRET.
A Monopoly That Millions Cannot Buy
Facts About Carthusian Mouks

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Facts About Carthusan Monks.
Paris Correspondence Of the New York Times.
For some days past mild excitement
has pervaded Europe. 1t was caused by
n rumor-of which, no doubt the cable
has apprised you-that Pope Leo XIII.
has determined 10 make the Carthusian
monks relinquish the mono poly OF the
liqucur whose process OF manufacture is
secret with them. The sum offered was
about Sl5, 000, 000 and expressed the value
that London bankers placed on the secret
and monopoly that belong to the monks
OF Grcnoble.
A Papal lcgatc visited the far-iamed
monastery -the Grand Chartrcuse-some
days after the offer had been rejected, and
II was said that lac carried with him from
the Vatican many doctrines to show that
the monks were violating the rules OF their
order in engaging in commercial lines and
that they should accept the proposition OF
the London bankers. This story is officially
denied today by the Papal Nuncio, and
the onks may continue their Old pur
suits without fear Of molestation and with
the consciousness that the French govern
ment would never permit their time
honorcd rights TO be iniringcd.
Tho tarthusian monks have always been
secure IN the protection OF the French
Government, no matter what its complex
ion might have been. Other religious or
dcrs have been expelled from time TO time,
but the Charrcusc monks have never had
occasion Ia fear the wrath OF the powers
that be. They annually turn N $4,000
10 the French eXchequer, aud the profits
Of their liquor are distributed in chart
ties IN which they could use more than
they receive. Their secret no one has ever
been able 30 reach, although time and
money have been wasted in the effort.
Experiments without number have been
made, but they were ~ futile as the search
to discover the mysteries OF the polar re-
glons-the freezing presence Of an iceberg
being nothing 10 the air OF chillncss with
which the monks have always treated
the investigator. There are, il is said
about fifty different plants used in the
preparation OF the liquor, Each monk has
his own ground 10 cultivate his own work.
shop 10 himself, and in them lac pursucs
his daily manual occupations without con-
vorsation with anyone, and alone TO his
soll'cOmmunings.
A visit to the Grand Chartrcuse many
desire 10 pay, but none is privileged to do
w. W l'H AlN NNllN HlbhhH NtIt gwen
the lands, now occupied by the order,
Charlrcuso was q desert. The place ia not
very cheering to-day, and the tcn-mile
ride away TO the north OF Grcnoblo runs
through drcary roads that take six hours
Ia traverse Tho monastery is seated on a
hight IN a narrow valley, with rugged
cliff on each side. The dislillery is sit
uatcd lower down than the monastery and
there the preliminary work OF the monks
Is converted into the famous liquid, under
the direction Ol "a lay-brothcr, who has u
large number Of common laborrrs under
his superintendent No visitor ~ nj.
lowed To remain within the walls OF this
institution more than lOrty-right hours,
and ladies are ncycrndmittcd aud can only
look on the buildings as they appear from
the convent OF the Sistem Of Providence
pear by. Tho rules Of tho order have
never been changed, and they are 10
strict that any priest or monk can bc re-
hcNcd ui his VOWS to enter the order, but
u Carihuslan cannot secure translation 10
any other organization OF the church.
a brief account of the Carthusians will
conclude this letter. The
order was founded 10y n. Bruno In 1881.
Its founder believed that manual labor |
was more healthy 10 relieve the hours of |
than other Improbable OK. |
srclsc. The monks are never allowed 10 |
rat meat, and fish cannot be- eaten cNcept |
when given as aims. Eyps and cheese are !
their food on two days, pulse and boiled !
herbs ON three others, aud bread and water |
On Wednesday and Friday. One meal "A |
day Is the only allowance. except on icasis |
Of the double class, and this they eat i'm |
their lonely cells. They sleep on shectlcss |
beds, and are awakened twice during the |
night To rccilo their office Rough hair |
shirts are worn next their skin, and when |
they die they are laid In the grave without |
anything between them and the clay hut
the robes they wore Ia life. A single cross
marks their graves, no name being en-.
Rraycd thereon. Strange TO say, nearly all
the monks die Of old age.