Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-09-15
IN A ROMAN CONVENT.
Tho Life OF Monks and Lay -BrothOrs Ne.
seribod by DE-. Parkman.

utes was to join tho Italians in retreat,
and go with them TO mass, writes DIR.
Francis Parkman, in uarpcr's Magazine
Tho mass was followed by another SER
mon. after which wo were all summoned
to coffee in the room whoro we had
taken tea tho evening before. The re-
port OF my heresy had got abroad, and
found myself IN object Of curious atten-
ton.
After coffee we were dismissed to our
chambers for an hour, and then listened
to another sermon in tho chapel. This
consumed tho morning till eleven
o'clock, when boil rang for dinner,
and monks and laymon together moved
in solemn procession to tho refractory.
Tho monks wont first, tho Superior ut
their head, then followed the laymcn,
and while the procession was forming
in tho corridor they all kept up the dis
NAL, unidentified chanting. Tho re-
fcctory was q long, high, dimly-lighted
hall. A table of bare wood was
stretched across tho farther end for
the dignitaries OF tho convent, and
was continued down both sides. Here,
on right and left. sat tho rest of tho
monks, forty or fifty in number, and tho
laymen sat below them, nearer the door.
Tho seats wero wooden benches, placed
on tho inner side OF the tables only. On
the wall over tho heads of tho dignita-
rics was a fresco Of tho Last Supper, as
usual in refectories, whilo on tho side
walls hung grim pictures OF saints with
upturned eyes and palms pressed to-
gother. High up, near the ceiling, was
small pulpit. Tho entire hall was
whitewashed above and panelled with
oak below.
At tho head OF tho tables stood tho
Superior, who was General of tho whole
order, u tall, portly man with stern
and austere countenance. The monks,
motionless and in dead silence, stood
ranged on right and left, robed in black
from head to foot, and wearing on tho
breast the badge of their order-a heart
surmounted by q cross. Their harsh,
cadavorous faces bespoke the riyor of
their discipline, which is extremely Sc
we're. When all were in their places
! tho Superior raised his finger, and the
whole assemblage broke out into an
other chant. When at last it was ended
tho finger was raised again, and all took
their seats. Not word was spoken;
narrow door in tho wall, and in drawl-
ing. monotonous tones read a Latin SER
mon, which lasted throughout tho meal.
He had hardly begun when file of
lay-brothcrs entered, each carrying o
receptacle formed Of three trays, ono
above the other, connected by an up.
right wooden rod, and holding great
number Of bowls and small dishes. Tho
monks wero served first. Before them
were set bowls of q dismal-looking veg
etable soup, along with dishes Of dried
| peaso boiled whole, and swelled to
wonderful size by the process. Each
thcn drew cup, fork and wooden
spoon from q drawer in tho table, and
with rnoful countcnanco proceeded to
eat, nrst filing the cup from an carthen
bottle Of cheap vino which stood on tho
board before him.
! When l had got to my chamber and
was refreshing myself with tho Pho
neers, ono of them Camc in to convert
mo. "My father said !, II am afraid
your kindness will DO thrown away
J But he clapped rao on tho knee, and
exclaimed chccrrully: "Ah, flglio, you
will bo good Catholic soon. No doubt
! Of it,"
! There was nm amusing vivacity in
him, quito different from his extreme
solcmnity WHOM at dinner. In tho
course OF his talk, which was rambling,
though pious, no kept offering me his
snuff-box, freely using it himself mean
! while; and whom no thought no had
madc good hit in his argument. he
would wink ut mo with comical look
OF triumph, on which VIC both fell to
laughing. At longth tho bell rang for
moro prayers and sermons in the chapel,
and this sprightly old apostle went back
to his coll.
After tho sermon the laymen wero
turned out to walk for whilo in the
convent garden, attended by Padre
Luca. lilo was not, think, ono of tho
: Passionist brotherhood, but q secular
priest, and his pleasant, plump,
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