The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-06-28
TEE HER AID ID AND \ NEws.

side beauty by the unexpected
splendors Of Greek marble monoliths
within. We finally push on to reach
the Abbey of "Tre Fontaine," on
the road to Ostia. As we drive
through the gates and find ourselves
in space rich with verdure and
foliage one is reminded Of ian ,oasis.
For many years Trappist monks have
been draining the soil aud planting
vineyards. Since 1870 they have de-
voted much attention to the cultiva-
tion of the eucalyptus tree on ac-
count of it's supposed activity in dry
ing the earth and dissipating malaria.
We sat under these trees, breathing
III balsamic odors as one of the monks
told us the story of this interesting
experiment in practical sanitation.
While III former years the inmates
were obliged to return every after
noon to Rome, they now spend sever
al nights in each week at the Abbey.
We went into the church to look at
the three miraculous fountains, which
are said to have sprung up where The
head Of st. Paul touched the ground
at his martyrdom, and then into the
refectory to sample the good monks
wine and ward off malaria by slipping
their eucalyptus cordial. It seems
that in 1880 penal establishment
was placed by the Government in
this locality, but even with the euca-
lyptus trees and the best hygienic
surroundings, the inmates were at
tackled by malaria, so that, in spite
of the monks, there is still some
doubt as to the beneficial effects of
the eucalypti. They are also difficult
to cultivate, and uncertain in thriv-
ing. We wandered through the
grounds, guided to various shady
hooks by our friend, the monk, who
listened to our tale Of travel, and, in
turn, told us of various incidents in
his line.
Monks Curious Lot.
These monks that one sees every
where in this region are a curious lot.
Some seem to bear evidence Of stern
self-sacrifice, others of dirt and de-
gradation, while not, a few, with
well-padded forms and sensual faces,
show actual acquaintance with the
world and the flesh, if not of the
devil. With coarse habit and SAN
dalled feet, they shuttle through the
streets, kneel in the churches or act
as guides, and always form q pictur-
esque feature in the scene. On the
whole, they seem contented folk,
and doubtless expect high rank in
some celestial hierarchy. Our stay at
'The Fontaine" was delayed until
very late, owing to the interest and
beauty Of the scene. When at last
we strollei through the gate the dusk
was gathering, with dark clouds roll
ing up over the Campagna. Drawing
Oh our overcoats, the tired horse was
speeded on in hopes Of escaping the
shower. The clouds were faster than
our equipage; however, and we were
soon in the midst Of the wind and
storm. The dust curled along the
highway, quickly chased by the pour
ing rain, while the mists were rising
from the distant marshes. There is a
sort of peculiar desolation in a storm
on the Campagna. We drew our
wraps little closer while our dryer
lashed the horse. Just as we ratified
through the Porta S. Paolo the even
ing sun escaped from the clouds and
lit up the dark Campagna to the dis
tant Albanian hills.
We were once more within the
Eternal City.
James II. Bacon.