The Newtown bee., 1900-11-30
on which it stands, overlooking the whole

on which it stands, overlooking the whole town. and having for its background . noble line of dark-wooded hills, is very grand one, and we already feel glad that we have come to Einsiedeln. Close at hand is an ancient and excellent hotel, in which we find comfortable accommoda- tion, in rooms which afford . near and unobstructed view of the aforesaid m0n- astery. How came 1t to be planted here ? According to the ancient chronicles, one Meinrad, of noble birth, and afterward St Melnrad, became Benedictine monk, and, enAmored of solitude, came to this spot, then 6 wilderness, and near spring of clear water in the dark wood, built himself dwelling and chapel, which. in the after ages, grew into the monastery few possessions, and most highly prized of all, was curious statue of the Blessed Virgin presented to him by the Abbess Hildegarde, daughter of . king. which, having survived the vicissitudes of ages, is still here, known as tour Lady of the Hermits," and the object of unbounded veneration for its sanctity and It's mirac. ulous virtues. St Aeinrad's building here was about the year 946. The year 1861 was the thousandth anniversary of the saints death. The first monastery was destroyed by fire in 1929. In 1467 and in 1877 fro destroyed successive monasteries. In 1704 tho foundations of the present monastery were laid. lt is pile of buildings covering space 450 feet in width by 516 feet in length, the church occupying the central portion of the southern facade. On either side, eastern and western, are wipgs 516 feet in length, two stories high, built of gray stone, connected by pavilions at the north, s1uth, east and west angles, and enclosing four courts or gardens. In these build. inRs are the abbot's chambers, the monks cells, the college, the library, the refec.
 tory and the guest chambers, and many of these apartments are adorned with portraits of popes, emperors and princes,
 which have been, from time to time, pre- sented to the order. Adjoining buildings are devoted to artizans and laborers, to rounded, except in front, by solid wall of hewn stone. The church is one of the largest and most magnificent in Switzsr- land, and is capable of holding . con- gregation of at least 5000 people. Thirteen bells hang in it's high tower. It is profusely decorated. Eight colossal columns support its vaulted and elsbor- ately painted roof. Two great organs are in it's galleries. Numerous chapels entlcneo WlCo palntlngs, statues, ana reliquaries are on either wall. To the left of the splendid choir is the penieential chapel. vaulted stone building dating from 1880, containing 29 confsssionala for people of different languages, which are all the while thronged with people eager to confess their sins in that privi. legged sanctuary. But the chief object in this church is that which one sees direct ly before him, as he enters the edince. It is high, oblong building of black and white marble, and richly decorated. Its front side or portal has an open-work screen of wrought iron. This is the Holy Chapel. You look through the screen, before which worshippsrs are ever stand ing or kneeling, and see the interior altar in all splendor of various enrichment. Over this altar stands St Meinrad's statue of the Virgin, which has survived all copflagrations and desolations for thousand years. It is of wood, li5e.sjze, massive, and black as ebony. The Virgin holds on her left arm the Holy Child in whose hand Is a little bird. The figure ot the Child is as black as that of the Virgin. Whether artificially or by age black, who knowsP Whence the Black Virgin originally came, no one positively knows. It's merits as wr-k of art are in question. of course. The Virgin is array