Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-04
MADE MILTON DREAM.
The Monastery Of Vallombrosa Which
Inspired Paradise Lost.
TRAGIC STORY OF ITS FOUNDING.
The Wondrous Panorama That Unfolds
From the Mountain Path.
A NIGHT WITH CHARCOAL BURNERS

A NIGHT WITH CHARCOAL BURNERS
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH
FLORENCE, ITALY, Dec. 12.-That is a
sweet old tale the books tell about the origin
of Vallombrosa. 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 filled with divine compassion for
his enemy, forgave him. This man Giovanni
| Gualberto, to commemorate his salvation
from a damning deed. built the monastery
of Vallombrosa, nearly 900 years ago. Mil
| ton, in the three lines,
Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the brooks
| In Vallombrosa. where tn Etrurian shades
High overarch'd embower-
made vollombrosa endlessly live. in the
| minds OF men. If to the monastery's sup
preston had been added its material de-
struction, it would still forever arise against
its emerald mountain-side, as millions, read
ing Millions words, see the vision he saw in
his swift longing to again dwell with its
monks, and yearn as he yearned to know the
cool depths OF its restful shade.
About 900 feet from Vallom brosa's gates
| is a fountain of the purest water, leaping
| from an everything spring. On summers
| day in 1908 Giovanni paused at this foun-
| tain in search of hermitage. His family
was one of the noblest of Tuscany, from the
royal race of the Carlovingians. He was
reared to the fortune of arms and received
the education of nobleman of his time. In
his early life his career was reckless and
fiery. One of his best loved friends, Wis
domni, quarreling with his Idolized brother,
Hugo, plunged dagger into his heart and
killed him. Giovanni swore vengeance
upon Visdomini, ,ipursuing him in vain for
years.
At last on the morning of Good Friday in
1908, when on his was to Florence accom-
| panied by his bodyguard, he suddenly met
his enemy in a narrow, rock-bordered forest
path. Visdomini was at Giovanni's mercy.
| The avenging brother drew his sword and
| called upon the murderer to prepare for
| instant death. Without attempting de-
| tense, he fell upon his knees, and with
hands outspread in the form of a cross, sued
for mercy. The mode of prayer touched the
heart of Giovanni. Springing from his
steed he lifted his enemy to his feet, forgave
him, and dismissed him with his blessing.
BEFORE THE CRUCIFIx.
This much is true; act as heroic and God
| like as ever impassioned rhymer sung. Then
| perhaps legend comes; if legend still tender,
| fitting sequel to glorious self-conquering.
| Filled with holy awe at what he himself
had escaped, Giovanni straightway sought
the neighboring monastery OF San Miniato.
He prostrated himself before a crucifx in
prayer Long and earnestly he gazed upon
J the figure of Christ above him. Lol the i'm
I age bent its head as if with blessing at his
| act of mercy.
Thereafter follows historic truth. Clio
vanni related the miracle to the abbott; ab-
| jured his wayward career; sought to enter
the brotherhood; but was for time dis
suaded on account of his noble fathers op-
position; but finally took the religious vows
of the order in April, 1904. His piety soon
became renowned. On the death of the
abbott of San Miniato in 1908, he was chosen
to succeed him, but refused the Office under
| desire to seek still more solitary retreat;
and it was at the fountain near the peak OF
the Pratomagno mountain, where he had
halted in his solitary wanderings. Near the
| spot, which was then called Acquabella, he
found two hermits, Paolo and Guntelmo,
who were living in huts These Joined him,
and there soon was gathered Q little CON-
munity of monks and hermlts.
| SUFFERING AND THEN PROSPERITY.
Their suffering, privations and self-in-
ficted tortures were horrible. Robbers and
wild beasts surrounded them, and both
preyed upon them savagely. Their homes
were at first low huts with cross planted
before each, and central place for prayer;
while rude wooden paling enclosed all.
The fame of their sancity became so great,
that gifts flowed in upon them from every
hand. Emperor Conrad IL, the Empress
Gisela and all the court visited them and
| lett generous presents Complete ordinances
of the Benedictines were finally adopted.
| The original hermitage, Eremo, built in
1043, was repeatedly enlarged, until finally
completed in 1910 as the structure stands to-
day.
| The order of Vallombrosans, 500 years
after the death OF San Giovanni, which oc-
CURED in 1910, after he had attained the
ripe age of SS years, had become the richest
and most powerful in Italy; and this one
old monastery held their chief treasure
| For this order Ciambue painted his priceless
Madonna" Perugino his marvellous "As-
sumption" But Vallombross's dark days
| came in with the French Revolution.
STRUCK DOWN BY NAPOLEON.
When Napoleon's council debated whether
the Vallombrosans should be spared, because
aims, it was asked:
"Shall we have monks or wolves2"
"WolvesP' was the answer.
The monastery and church were despoiled
of their priceless treasures; the immense do
mains were seized; and the monks were
driven from their cloisters. Then, when
Napoleon fell and Tuscany welcomed back
the sway of the Austrains, the monks were
reinstated, but their matchless paintings,