The Irish standard., 1904-10-15
IN DAYS OF OLD
Picture That Recalls England
When She Had No Poorl GU SEES.
The faithful Cistercian Monks
Make Barren Fields Fruitful.

miles of the centre of England, says
writer in the London Daily Express,
the most quantity dressed farmers in
the world are now gathering in the
sat crop. They are the monks of the
Abbey of Mount st. Bernard. the only
Cistercian abbey in Great Britain, and
until recently the only mitred abbey.
Clad in monastic garb, with hood
thrown back and sleeves rolled away
from the wrists, the monk pursues his
fab0rs in the field. He does not look
like farmer. There is more Of the
air of the study about him than of the
country He works in silence, as be-
comes member of his order; he does
not grumble at the failure Of crop;
he murmurs not at the parched
ground; he tolls OH silently, automati-
eally, working an agricultural saliva
ton out of one of the most barren
soils in England.
From early morn to eve, with Il
slight break for meal the most hum
cry laborer would look askance at, he
does not rest. He works that others,
battered by the blows of adversely,
may be fed. His wages are not reck-
oned by coin. they accumulate until
the greatest of all settling days. The
yoeman who does not live within
reach of Charnwood forest would re-
gard him as Il second-rate amateur, but
the hardy farmer of Leicestershire
does not want to see better man in
the field. Worldly triumph the monk
cares not for but the Worcestershire
show records pay tribute to his worth
as Il farmer.
August is. perhaps, the best time to
risit the monaStic lands. AS the forest
uplands are reached Il panorama of
peace bursts into view. The abbey
nestles amid luxuriant trees at the
foot Of the hill. Here are peace and
sylvan solitude. Round about, Il coun-
try of romance. \ few miles away is
AShl'y III Couch. where WiIfrcd of
fvaIloe SO calamity fought in the lists
Cor his lady fair. Farther afeld is
Market Bosworth where kingly
crown WAS lest and Won
The abbey itself is rich in histori.
lore. 1t was mainly owing to the gen
erosity of MIR. Ambrose Lislc Phillips,
who ut Il late period took the name
of De Lislr Of Grace Dicu manor. that
the erection of the monastery was
mooted in 1888 to Father Norbert
Wuoltrry, Of the Mount Mcllcrny
monastery. in Ireland. \ magnificent
gift Gi land WAS made by Mr.. Phil
lips. and the Earl of Shrewsbury af
forward gave Il rich donation. Tie
monks got tn" stone from their own
ground, and in ISL; was begun in
reality the abbey church of Our Lady
of Mount st. Bernard. Tie plans were
intrustcd to Augustus Wrlby Pugin,
sle famous but eccentric architect.
Mere important in it's rude grandeur
talan even the abbey is the Calvary.
the figure Of the Saviour on the cross,
which surlnouits the highest point of
rock in the abbey grounds. From al
most every part OF the forest the huge
r''eSs may be seen. 1t rises abruptly,
KY" inspiring and beautiful The
CT IS is of massive oak. fourteen feet
II, i,ai ,rlt ;,,+,,
pedestal. resting on Il grrce of three
stone steps out in the solid rock.
The figure of the Saviour is of wood
Beneath the calvary is the scpulchrc.
Il representation of the Lords tomb
h'wn out of the rock. There is repro
st.nted the King of Kings. with the
jagged wounds and running blood. the
price of a worlds redemption. Under
Meath may he read:
"Jesus. us though Thyscf vert here.
draw in trembling SORROW near.
Aus! banging DER Thy form Divine.
KnceI down to kiss those wounds of
Thine
No majestic architecture of !; stately
cathedral could set off the calvary as
nature does. Here. surrounded by
cough hewn rocks trees groaning be-
neatli their wealth of leaves. and over
looking the cool wales of the mitllnnGs
it stands. Il sublime reminder of the
vanity and emptiness of this life
ToiI-worn outcasts pause. hurriedly
alAke the sign Of the cross. mutter II
prayer and pass on.
The monastic farm is triumph
over nature. The ground was untitled
for cultivation. but years of labor have
reclaimed it, Brother Alberto II
Eeninl-faced. kilM-heartcd freshman. in
the evening of his life. is the head
farmer. The cattle. the horses and
even the ducks know his voice. He
rztIes Ill by Kindness The farm COM
prises 300 acres. of which about $50
are under cultivation. When neces-
xary outside labor is employed. The
produce of the work is devoted to the
needs of the poor.
Among all the brethren none was
known better than Brother Philip. No
Journey was too far for him if he could
relieve distress. He now rests in the
quiet little graveyard attached TO the