New-York tribune., 1908-06-21
CLOSING THE CONVENTS
France Erpels Anether Order
Hospitality of the Mans.
Paris. June 2.


Sentence Of expulsion has been passed on an
other Of the few religious houses now remaining
in Paris or indeed. in France. and soon the
Soeurs Ciarfsses will disappear forever from the
city. The order, not wealthy one. was in
stalled in the quarter of Les Invalides and the
Sisters had hoped to escape the attention
Of the government. It's premises, N
lfke those al the beautiful Abbaye- -aux-Bois,
We're not specially tempting TO the speculating
builder. and. though for some time they had
refrained from accepting any recruits, the
nuns had hoped 10 end their lives quietly in the
Avenue de SAKE. They have now six months
Notice fTzefr the government. and probably be
fore that time has expired they will have crossed
the border into the Low Countries. where they
have had offers or suitable quarters.
Another order that is fun Of anxiety for its
ture is that of St Paul de Chartres. This is
W more important community than the Soeurs
Clarisses. more numerous and more wealthy.
There ara several converts belonging 10 the rule
all within easy distance from Paris all justify
ing their existence by diligent work among
children The order has a well organized or
phanage in the Eure-et-Loir large school at
the parent house in Chartres, near the fine ca
thedral and charming old house with day
and boarding school at Poissy, near St Germain.
Poissy has q beautiful old church Of the twelfth
which st. Louis. ninth king of the name. was
christened and the Order of st. Paul de Char
tres was established there in the beginning Of
the seventeenth century. The Sisters TO this
fay wear the dress Of the lady Of the bourseoisie
of the time when their order was founded full
petticoat of thick "bure." homespun. a
straight cut bodice, buttoned jacket-wise down
the front with rather wide sleeves brought into
q small wrist band covered with white starched
cuff and round their SHOULDERS starched white
1achu fat and rigid, high TO the throat. Their
-coiffe, cap, is Of starched white linen fitting
closely round the head and entirely hiding the
hair, with broad band forming the front, which
ends in long flaps. In the house these flaps are
pinned up on the side Of the cap. but out Of
doors the flaps hang down on the breast. Sum
Iner ana winter the dress is the same. and in
the hot months forms a real penance by reason
of its immense thickness and weight.
The anxiety about the future which the order
is now feeling IS enhanced by the fact that Just
before the separation Of the Church and State
the superior of the Poissy house purchased the
freehold Of the house and grounds occupied by
the convent They were paying rental of 5000
francs a year and they bought it for the
OF 10000 francs, bargain with which they were
pleased Should the government decide to close
the house the pecuniary loss to the sisterhood
viii be great They are keeping their expenses
as low possible; there is not a wall in the
place that does no. cry aloud for paint or dis
temper; the pavement OF the hall and corridors
is uneven; all the furniture is of the simplest
and bsrest description. even the ''parlor' re-
served for the fourteen boarders having nothing
in the shape Of ornament. There is not a
looking glass in the house; their own faces are
Totally unknown 10 the nuns. who yet contrive
10 put on their caps and collars with a regi-
mental uniformity and neatness.
Very charming is the hospitality dispensed by
These converts The mother superior is gem
orally woman Of great intelligence and tact
ana Often. too. she has en excellent head for
business In such an order as St Paul de
Charfres, the parent house is in close touch with
each Of the branch establishments. and a svstero
% rigorous inspection is in use When the in
spector makes her call she interviews every MIN
separately, and, metaphorically speaking. turns
her inside cat diving into all the little incidents
Of daily life, tracing any cause Of complain,
SAat may exist against the superior. testing.