The Washington herald., 1909-02-14

robed in dressing gowns and quite evi-
IDENTIFY wanting in intellect.
Already the student perpetrators %
those outrages have ruined much Of the
charm Of S0l0vetsky. for not content
with the wholesale destruction OF the
small pictures. they have also repsinted
most Of the frescoes OF the churches IN
colors and in styles that would shame
the drop scene OF an itinerant tbeater.
Beyond the buildings which form the
residential quarters Of the monks and
novices are situate the hospital and dis
pensary. both bOzsting a modern. II not
extensive. equipment. Long tunnels,
dark and vaulted. containing a number
OF the tombs Of the srchimandrites and
principal monks Of the past, lead one
from courtyard tc courtyard. In enc OF
the great cellars where the kvas-or rye
beer-is made and stored. in another a
little shop where souvenirs OF the pill
I grimage are sold: but. turn where one
+ viii. one never loses sight OF the great
( high walls. surrounded BY the dOmed
towers. Everywhere the monks and
novices, in black and gray. respectively.
are 70 be met.
Many ot the latter are engaged IN the
daily lsbors Of the monastery, for al
+ the manual work is performed by The
inmates Carts laden with building ma
terial and drawn by sturdy little ponies
rattle over the big paving stones. driven
! for the most part by boy novices who
+ have not yet lost the look Of the outer
world
The sea and the forest extend nearly
/ up 70 the monastery walls on all sides,
and the little port with its stone qusys
( lies only a hundred yards OF so from the
main entrance Alongside OF the jetty
1 lie q steamer or two, belonging 70 the
I monastery and employed in the carriage
Of pilgrims and provisions from Arch
angel, which Is some fifteen hours voy-
/ age away. A large hosiery. also the
/ property Of the monks. adjOins the quay.
/ Although pretenti0us in size. it is Of q
most primitive character within. though
/ all that is necessary no doubt for the
class Of pilgrims who visit SolOvetsky.
Surrounded by Forest.
1 On the island side Of the great block
OF buildings lies e fresh water lake ot
some acres in extent. situated above the
level OF the sea. and thus assuring con-
stant supply Of fresh running water
Behind the lake and forming almost &
wall around the pasture land which has
/ been cleared in the immediate vicinity
/ Of the monastery. rises the forest OF
/ pines. Il IS from an eminence above
/ the port that the best view oS Solo
vetslSy Is obtained. and its astounding
/ fantastic appearance is best realized
for criticise its architecture as one viii
taken in conjunction with its position
ard its surroundings fits stupeEdous in-
congruity cannot be denied
| This congiomeration Of white buildings
and towers. Of crimson roofs and emer-
aid domes and cupolas. should stand ir
| the perpetual sunshine CT some fal
Eastern landscape The dark forest o,
pines should be groves or waving palms
and in place Of the dull black and gray
OF monk and novice should be seen the
yellow robes Of Buddhist priests.
On the brilliant July afternoon Il wa:
difficult enough 20 realize that for TIT
greater part Of the year the monastery
and forest lie covered IN snow beside G
frozen sea, in a land OF almost perpetua
night