Connecticut western news., 1889-10-30
MONKS OF ST. BRUNO.
VISIT TO THE FAMOUS MON-
 ASTARY.
How the Hospitable Brethren Work,
 Worship and Live.

Did you ever notice what a pleasant effect little glass of ''aid to diges- ton" liquor has on a man after good dinner, and for that matter on woman also? says Henry Haynie in Paris letter to the Pittsburg Dispatch. On such occasions one may safely drink s.petit verre" of fine brandy, kummel, benedictine, or chartreuse. A little chartreuse, yellow or green, ac- cording to taste-jaune is the best-is just the thing, and with that inside your stomach you'll feel as if all your debts were paid, and you had nothing in the world to worry about.
 At the foot of mountain quite 4,OOO feet high, and on which the monks of Grande Chartreuse live, is where few holy fathers of that order superintend the fabrication of this famous liquor. It is not an easy thing though to obtain admittance to the manufactory, and there are placards stuck up in public places to the effect that "strangers are not admitted to visit the establishment, except by special permission from the reverend father general"
 All the glories of a setting sun were on the mountain sides, and the distant trees and ravines were tinged in golden colors when I reached the Grande Chartreuse. The door was opened by brother, from whom I asked hospi- tality. He bade me enter, and 1 was soon within house where no woman, with the exception of crowned heads, has ever penetrated.
 My guide led me across a large courtyard, in the centre of which two streams descend from the mountain, making night and day mournful sound to the common hall, where pious engravings and car riage notices were stuck on the wall plentifully. People were eating, and an old, bearded brother was at desk ready to receive orders for food and drink, liquor, rosaries and photo graphs.
 Apart from it's cloister the interior of the Grande Chartreuse is nothing much, but the cloister, some 66O feet long, and lighted by no windows, has indeed an imposing aspect. The chapel is small and quite devoid of works of art; it is divided into two parts, one | destined for those of the Chartreux, who are priests, the other for the laical brothers. The hall of the chapter house, in which are rows of wooden benches and portraits of general fathers painted on the ceiling, has no interest for the profane.
 Here each year in the first week of May the priors of all the houses of the Chartreux meet to occupy themselves with spiritual affairs connected with their institutions. In the little ceme- tery are graves each surmounted with a stone, on which is engraved the name of the defunct, and beneath these stones sleep those who have been at the head of the establishment. On the other side are simple wooden crosses without inscriptions, and these mark the last resting place of the Chartreux.
 The library, which possesses 25, ,OOC volumes, is the only part of the in stitution where there is any evidence of luxury. In it saw silent phan. toms carrying, replacing, seeking doc. umentary volumes, books big anC little. The refectory is 8 beautiful, arched room; table at the end is re- served for the prior of the house
 the other monks occupying tables il rank of priority.
 The forks, spoons, egg cups ani plates are all made of wood, but the little vessels for wine and water arc : of earthenware. Not word il
 spoken during the meal, but a brother
 chants the lessons for the morning
 they only take their repast in common on Sundays and on certain fete days Grande Chartreuse monks do not liv' in cells, but each inmate has his owl little house. Near the door is a littl' : wicket gate through which the monl receives his food, which is alway without meat, and visitors have like
 wise to conform to this regulation.
 Should the brother require augh E else he writes down his needs an' leaves the paper at the wicket, an' presently he finds at the same plac
 what he had asked for. There is
 gallery which in Winter months is f promenade ground, but a little gardel , in front of each house serves for exer , else in Summer time.
 9 On the ground floor saw brothe r. working at woodpile, and abov was his bedroom. It had sort o :. cupboard bed, coarse mattress an 6 bolster, cotton sheets and woollen GOV
 erlid. Facing the bed was an oratory
 on one side little niche with earthen
 ware basin and piece of soap; tn v floor was stone and the walls white s washed.
 On the wall hung mountain staff ] for once week the monks enjoy