The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-22
MlNISTERING TO lEpERS.
The Infinite Sslf-Sacriflc, Of III, ChsrIb Sk'ss
Of the Island oi Trinidad

One of the most interesting and won
derfully conducted institutions in the
world is the great leper hospital OF the
island OF Trinidad, where lepers from
all the Windward islands come for
treatment. / went TO this institution in
company with the surgeon general ~
| the colony. and # is mainly from him
these facts are derived, says a writer in
| the Washington Post. He had studied
| leprcsy in India and i'm half a dozen
English colonies. The hospital consists
Of some half dozen tietachpri- one y0J.v-
succeed buildings set in the form of a
square about several acres of gress
covered. three shaded lawn. One build
ing is reserved entirely for the Sisters
of Charity. who form the nursing corps
OF the hospital. and this is backed by a
garden which they work themselves
and which is famous for its roses and
blossoming vines. The roses. more es-
pecially. are noted for their size. per-
fume and loveliness even In the tropics,
where splendid orchids grow. The now-
ers are as big as peonies, and either
pure white or blush color, and the bush
es bloom so profusely and continuously
that Is is necessary now and then to
take them, roots and all, out of the
ground TO prevent complete exhaustion
OF their powers
ms garden and their musical instru-
ments are their refuge and relaxation.
Tor the sights they daily witness are 30
uistresslng, so wearing to the nerves,
cnat the superior frequently requires
tnem TO abandon their work for a few |
days and give themselves up 10 music |
ana gardening until they recover their /
tone. Every few years they are sent |
away 10 some other duty for several
months Tor the same reason. Many OF
the nurses have been more than ten
sears at work in the hospital and there
mas never been the slightest sign OF
'ohtagion in one OF them. They observe
ne usual exquisite cleanliness demand
"a oy their religious vows. and the SUI
'erlor takes care that their physical
ohultlon is carefully watched. but no
'ther precautions are observed. and /
ney DO not seclude themselves from
ne world Al the time of my visit |
mere We're but two white men in the
,ospital, all the others being negroes,
findoos and Chinese
A half breed Bindoo In ono of the
lost ingenious tower some FIVE feet
ign built OF old cigar boxes, half
sea pencils, cast off bits of wire. nails. {
Ic'' thousand odds and ends, includ-
X broken clock case. some of which
had begged from visitors more Of {
nIch ne had rescued from the refuse /
ms. This continued some thirty little
,on,s and a winding stair and was v
,napited by pet gray rat who. at b
snai from it's master would mount n
u stairs and visit every room, ringing c
peIi In one. turning a wheel I'm an q
ner pulling string which loosened a "
ny shower OF water I'm a third and n
spIaying all the triumphs Of ten years
luence and skill. 10 the infinite pride o.
,a delight Of his afflicted owner G
siost of the patients had no such re- "
urce and sat in broodng Indifference u
u silence the hopeless prisoners Of
SPAR. But the patience and pity Of oi
E beautiful young woman In a white p'
y, VINO mad given up wealth and al
utn and high place TO soothe those ST
unhappy, who bent over them. was ia
me Infinite gentleness OF an angel ~
nuihs over the infinite horror of hell. a.. a,