Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-17

OF them all, who is said to have rescued
many years. With his death passed away
the last of the thoroughbreds. Neverthe
less the monks possess two sets of valI,ble
dogs. the young of which are eagerly
sought bringing fabulous prices in the
European markets. They ere err oneously
known as the rough and the smooth-coat
ed st. Bernards.
The prevailing color Of the smooth-coated
dogs is white. while that of the rough
coated breed is yellow No particular pains
having been taken to keep the two breeds
distinct, there fas been considerable in and
cross breeding. with the result that there Is
a third type which cannot be designated as
belonging to either the smooth or rough
coated class. This last stock Is perhaps the
best-being fully as large as the other two
Notwithstanding as good a scent, and
coat of hair sufficiently thick to keep the
animals warm without incumbering them
upon the search.
To make the statement that there Is no
mountain route in Europe that has been
used as much as the Great st. Bernard,
that myriads have crossed the same, and
that thousands have persisted along the
wayside, will not appear extravagant when
it Is recalled that the pass has history 60
ing back more than 5000 years.
The Hospice.
Upon arriving at the Hospice. the traveller
Is welcomed by enc Of the brethren, who es-
corts him Immediately to his room. which is
sometimes two. and sometimes three or
four These sleeping rooms are beautifully
furnished, lace curtains draping the win
dows and engravings and paintings orna-
menting the tastefully papered walls. Com
modious washstands with beautifully deco
rated pitchers and basins are to be found in
each: but what Is more pleasing than all
are the large modern brass bedsteads, COW
cred with the whitest Of linen. The monks
are very solicitous about their guests well
fare, coming before meals to escort them to
the dining room. They preside over the
table, the food on which is abundant and of
an excellent quality, consisting of with the
meats and vegetables which are to be had
in the first-class Swiss hotels. What the
Europeans enjoy the NEST is the delicious
wine, which is dealt out without stint AZ
ter meals the monks take great delight in
showing the visitors their library. contain
ing thousands of books In all languages,
mostly the presents Of grateful tourists. and
their museum stocked with ancient and
relics gathered during the existence Of the
cloister Early hours are observed at night,
the lights being extinguished at 0, when
every one is expected to repair to his room.
Early Morning In the Chapel.
At in tho morning, after a refreshing
nights sleep. the tourist Is awakened by
the peals of the melodious organ In the
chapel of the monastery, which Is reached
by small doors communicating with the
two larger nails of the first and second
stories. The sight of the monks robed in
the most beautiful regalia, taking their re-
spective parts in the service. is most i'm
pressive. On entering, 1t IS dark and
gloomy but before the services are finished
it is brilliant and Respondent the light
within becoming as soft and translucent as
that Of the Alpine Sky. After mass there
is loud barking of the dogs, who have
been released from the kennels, and ring
ing of the understanding hell, which
affects one SO strangely on account of that
where else save in the higher attitudes of
the mountains. When breakfast is through
with the tourists gather around the
younger dogs and puppies, which the
monks offer for sale. They bring prices
ranging from 400 to 1000 francs Those
having the largest paws and heads, with
the most projecting lower jaws, command
the highest price.
Before leaving the visitors usually re-
quest to be shown the morgue The
graveled floor Of this building is strewn
with bones and skulls of those VINO
have persisted in the snow. The mum
mif1ed remains of the dead are to be
seen as they were found, dressed in
the clothes that were in vogue ten, twenty,
even fifty, years ago. I distinctly recall
the body Of an old Italian lying against the
south wall of the morgue in sitting po-
s'tion. with his head drooped upon his chest
as though in deep meditation. His features
were Afe-like and his clothes well preserv-
ed. The thick leggings bound around his
legs with broad thongs Of leather showed
mat the aged traveller guarded in a meas
ure against the cold, but the thin linen
shirt, open in front, exposing a shriyeled
chest. suggested the probable cause of
death. + H M