Washington sentinel., 1898-12-10
AMouastery In the Air,
Enrlsh HZngtratld Magazine.

Monastery. On the 9th, Georgia,
my servant, was sent up first to
inform the fathers of my arrival;
also being heavier than l was, he
made a convenient test for the rope.
Instead of crossing his legs a Ia
Turk, he kept them straight out,
consequently was dra xn up head
and feet together, and hindquar-
ters protruding from the hole in
the bottom Of he meta most lu-
dcrous sight. We roared with
laughter, but l envied him when l
saw him safely drawn in. The
ascent was very unpleasant-the
meshes OF the net being a foot
square, the height $50 feet, and
the wind high. The abbot and his
stout and jolly looking monks re-
ceived me with great distinction,
and there was much bowing and
placing Of hands over hearts. We
first inspected their little church.
1t was in good order and full OF
paintings and gildings, with the
usual number Of appalling martyr
doms--such flayings alive and
choppings off of heads and arms!
There was also large painting of
hell, with devils dragging people
down by their hair. Among these
unfortunate victims were smooth
faced men, with regular black hats
and an unmIstakable Anglo-Saxon
look. l was supplied in the ab0ot's
room with cold collation. of eggs,
sweetmeats and capital coffee and
wine, the latter in especial being
excellent, made from their own
vineyards IN the valley below.
They insisted on us drinking so
much Of it that we both became a
little elevated" and / personally
thanks to this Dutch courage"
found the net descent pleasant
and exhilarating We carried with
US as presents to the Meteora
fraternity a goodlY flask of wine,
some bread, and fresh butter. On
April IL we visited the monastery
OF St. Stephen. 1t is the richest in
these parts, and consequently in
excellent repair. It stands on the
very edge OF the broken irregular
mountain ground, and looks down
on the great plain of ThesSalY.
This monastery is the only one
that can be entered in a rational
manner. One crosses a deep, mar
row chasm by a drawbridge of
planls; and when this is raised
night the place is quite inaccessi-
be. Easter Sunday is great day.
found the monastery in an incip-
lent state Of lunacY. Bells were
ringing, mallets we're being thun-
dered on the sounding boards, and
all were making as much noise as
possible. tear that Joy was more
stomachic than religious, and that
the thought OF the two sucking
pigs had much to do with it. They
asked me to FIRE a ten de-jHis with
with my revolver. | had so few
cartridges that l declined, but sent
my servant to the village for some
powder, and we soon had plenty OF
noise. The fathers were dressed
in their best clothes, and spent the
time playing at romping games in
the courtyard, like lot of children.
AT length the long expected din
ner came off, The principal dishes
were fried eggs swimming in but
ter, soup full of meat, lamb, suck
ing pigs, anil pudding. Their way
Of eating was anything but refined.
Papa Antinous carved the pig,
holding it in one hand ian uncom-
monty dirty one) and cutting it
with the other. 1t did not carve
as easily as he expected, so he laid
down the knife, seized a Jaw in
each hand, and tore the upper halt
off, handing 1t to me with his dirty
greasy hands. How they did eatl
What smacking Of lips and COB
bling! And along with it, l am
sorry to say, repeatedly making
noises with their mouths, unknown
in polite society, but which were
supposed to testify to their enjoy
ment of the meal. Alter dinner
they began to sing hymns, but as
the wine took effect these changed
into revolutionary songs. In the
meantime produced a bot
tie Of rum, which we drank
out Of coffee cups. This pro-
duced greater excitement still.
Georgia and Papa Theophilus
danced a sort OF wild dance round
the table. which they called the
"Romaika." The former then
began to sing ALBANIAN songs
rather amorous ones, Pm afraid -
and the orgie was at its height.
l was astonished at the way these
(eVout men went on. Perhaps il
the Abbot had been there they
would not have been quite so
lively. Papa Ephemeus was as
drunk as an owl, and kept on wink
ing solemnly at me across the
table. In short, to say the least
OF it, we were all extremely Jolly,
and alter smoking two or three |
pipes with them / was glad to |
make my escape-the odor of
seasoned with garlic being |
too unpleasant to be borne long. |
Next morning (April r3), after
a tender farewell to all the papas, |
and much Obi jurg alton TO the men
with the baggage ponies. / SET off, |
taking with me most pleasant /
memories Of my aerial resting
places and kindly, hospitable |
hosts.