Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-01-03
Ice2Jrish,, 1921
WAKEMAN'S WANDERINGS.
Al Vallombrosa.

NEWS
That is n sweet old tale the books
tell about the origin Of Vaiiombrosa'
1t Is both sweet and largely true.
A man Of arms, about to take life in
revenge for the murder of his own
brother, suddenly filed with divine
compassion for his enemy, forgave
him. This man Giovanni Guslberto,
to commemorate his salvation from
damning deei, built the monas-
terry of Vallombrosa, nearly 80
years ago. Milton, in the three lines,
Thick as auiumnal leaves that .irew the
brooks
In Vallombrosa, where tn Etrurian shades
nigh ovcrarch'd embOwer-"
made Vallomb,osa endlessly live In
the minds Of men. IL to the mon
astery's suppression had been added
lis material destruction, 1t would
still forever arise against its emerald
mountain-side, rs millions, reading
Millions words. see the vision he
saw in his swift longing to again
dwell with its monks, and yearn as
he yearned 10 know the cool depths
ofits restful shade.
About 1850 feet from Vallom-
brosa's gates is n fountain Of the
purest water, leapiug from an ever
living spring. On summers day
in lo1S Giovanni paused at this
fountain In search Of n hermitage.
His family was one Of the noblest OF
Tuscany, from the royal race of The
Carloviugians- He was reared to
the fortune ofarms and received the
| education OF n nobleman Of his
time. In his early life his career
was reckless and fiery. One OF his
best-loved friends, Visdomini,
quarreling with his idolized brother
Hugo, plunged a dagger into his
heart and killed him. Giovanni
swere vengeance upon Visdomini,
pursuing him In vain for years. At
last one morning OF Good Friday in
1903, when on his way to Florence
accompanied by his body guard, he
suddenly met his enemy in n mar
row, rock borderrd furest-path. Wis
domini was at Giovarni's mercy.
The avenginy brother drew his
sword and called upon the murderer
to prepare for instant death. With
out attempting defense, he fell upon
his knees, and with hands Outspread
in the form OF n cross, sued for
mercy. The mode Of prayer, touch
ell the heart Of Giovanni. Spring
ing from his steel he lifted his
enemy to his feet, forgave him, and
dismissed him with his blessing.
| This much is true, act rs heroic
and God like rs ever imprisoned
rhymer sung. Then perhaps legend
comes; II legend, still tender, fitting
sequel 10 glorious self-conquering.
Filled with holy awe at what he
had himself escaped, Giovanni
straightway sought the neighboring
monastery Of San Miniato. He
Frustrated himself before a cnicifix
in prayer. Long and earnestly he
gazed upon the figure Of Christ
above him. Lo, the image bent it,
head as II with blessing at his act OF
mercy. Thereafter follows historic
truth. Giovanni related the miracle
to the abbott; abjurei his maynard
career; sought TO enter the brother.
hood; but was for n time dissuaied
on account Of his noble fathers op.
position; but finally took the religi
Gus vows Of the order in April, 1904
His piety soon became renowned
On the death OF the abbott Of Sar
Miniato in ZOOS, he was chosen 4
succeed him, but refused the offic,
under a desire to seek a still NOR,
solitary retreat; and it was ut tn,
fountain near the peak o
the Pratomagno mountain, wher'
he had halted in his sol
itary wanderings. Near the spot
which was then called Ac
quabella, he found two hermits
Paolo and Guntelmo, who wer
living in huts. These joined him
aud there soon was gathered iitti'
community Of mont. and heImits
fheir sufieriss-, privalio ,.r,,.i.
inflicted fortunes were horribie
Robbers and wild beasts surrounded
them. and both preyed upon then
saVaseiy. - nl.n,ed h.
low mus WIN IL c.,traI MACE 10
tore .eacn, az -. rooI.n n,lin,
pnciossd ali The FAM OF thei
s,nctitv became SO great, that gin
! flowed in upon them from ever.
hand. Emperor Conrad H., tn
Empress Gisela and all the couI
visited them and left generou
presents. Complete ordinances {
the Benedictines were finally aiop'
5 ed. The original hermitage, Ercmt
, built in 1913, was repeatedly Ell
I urged, uatil finally completed /
1910 As the structure stands today.
The order of Vallombrosars, SO
years after the death Of Sa
Giovanni, which occurred In l0T'
1 after he had attsinei the ripe age {
D IS years, had become the richest an
/, most powerful in Italy; and this on
old monastery held their chief trea
, ure. For this or,ier Ciambue painte
his priceless Madonna: Perugino. h
marvellous Assumption. But Va
: lombrosa's dark days came in wit
the French Revolution. whe
n Napoleon's council debated wheth,
= the yallombrosans should be spare,
: because they kept the wolv
thinueI in the mountains, il VI
aske,I:
= ,.sh,I,w.bava montsorvoIv
:, ,.WoIr..,,, was The answer
e tn. ,,on.st.rv and churctfe
i INV hhoy s@Se AS
o ,iespoiled of their priceless -.
g ures: the immense domaisran
s..;..,. On, ,ha mo,.s IT,, ven
t., ,ha;r cIo;.,.rs Th.s nen
y N.n,,eon ssII and Tu.cS s
:, .on,oI bact the sway ofl
Ie ,r;ans ,ha rnants u.,e
h,. Thai m.,chisss n,in Wi
49, s . ..n...," ,ha;.
. anJ IT., stor.s - h,,s u.ip ~
II In mn, an,,sc,;nss h,J "a ysso
N y; a ~ Ioo.'
I. forever. Nic.o' Einen', com