The Newtown bee., 1900-11-30

on which 1t stands, overlooking the whole
 town. and having for it's background 6
 noble line of dark-w0oded hills, is 8 very
 grand one, and VIC already feel glad that
 we have come to Einsiedeln. Close al
 hand Is an ancient and excellent hotel, in
 which we find comfortable accommoda.
 tion, in rooms which afford 8 near and
 unobstructed view of the aforesaid mon-
 astery. How came 1t to be planted here According to the ancient chronicles, one
 Meinrad, of noble birth, and afterward St Meinrad, became Benedictine monk, and, enamored of solitude, came to this spot, then wilderness, and near 8 spring of clear water in the dark wood, built himself dwelling and chapel, which, in the after ages, grew into the monastery and church of Etnsiedeln. Among his 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 unboupded veneration for it's sanctity and it's mirac. ulous virtues. St Meinrad's building here was about the year 946. The year the saints death. The first monastery
 was destroyed by fire in 1929. In 1467 and in 1577 fire destroyed successive monasteries. In 1704 the foundations of the present monastery were laid. It Is . pile of buildings covering space 450 feet in width by 5l6 feet in length, the church occupying the central portion of the southern facade. On either side, eastern and western, are wings 516 feet in length, two stories high, built of gray stone, connected by. pavilions at the north, 'uth, east and west ar gles, and enclosing four courts or gardens. In these build- 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 artizsns and laborers, to workshops and stables, and all are sur rounded, except in front, by solid wall of hewn stone. The church is one of the largest and most magnificent in Switz ,r- land, and is capable of holding 8 con. gregation of at least 5000 people.
 Thirteen bells hang in it's high tower. It is profusely decorated. Eight colossal columns support it's vaulted and elabor- ately painted roof. Two great organs are in it's galleries. Numerous chapel. oAe1 1SASu WAvA QoAnbAuHeS SbaGOtSs AuO reliquaries are on either wall. To the left of the splendid choir is the penirential chapel. vaulted stone building dating from 1880, containing 29 confsssionaia for people of different languages, which are all the while thronged with people eager to confess their sins in that privf. legged sanctuary. But the chief object in this church is that which one sees direct ly before him, as he enters the edifice. It is high, oblong building of black and white marble, and richly decorated. It's front side or portal has an open-work screen of wrought iron. This Is the Holy Chapel. You look through the screen, before which worshippers are ever stand ing or kneeling, and see the interior altar in all splendor of various enrichment. Q Over this altar stands St Meinrad's statue of the Virgin, which has survived all conf1agrations and desolations for thousand years. It Is of wood, life.size, massive, and black as ebony. The Virgin holds on her left arm the Holy Child in whose hand is little bird. The figure of the Child is as black as that of the Virgin. Whether arEificially or by age black, who knows2 Whence the Black Virgin originally came, no one positively knows. It's merits as work of art are in question, of course. The Virgin is array