The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-01-05
tBy MARIE wIDMER.)

In the gloomy days of warfare from which the world is just emerg- ing, we-read almost daily heart rend1ng. inspired accounts of the heroes, young and old, who sacrificed their lives on the unsuitable altar of II the vast battlefelds We read of s hundreds and thousands of men who fhad with their own hearts blood to II atone for the irreparable sins com T nnltted by the ambitious supporters { Of m1lttarism, who had to tear them II selves away from everything dear to them, in order to obey that stern call ] to duty for their native land: that ca11>which knoweth no excuse, no de- liberation and no mercy But the thought of his own country being in danger steeled every soldier with the necessary nerve. In the midst of the cruel, deadly fighting he thought of naught but his duty; sacrifice belong ed to the order of the day and he- roism was victorious in all the ranks.
 Heroes of the battlefield have usual ly been honored with distinctions of various description and their deeds will be related by history to all future generations = Their heroism reaps universal appreciation-There is how ever another phase Of heroism in this changeable world of ours. heroisn which calls for lifelong and not only temporary sacrifice. Its perils are legions and the outward rewards gen. orally scarce. But while the results achieved by heroism on the battle fields only means some terrific catas- trophe for the loser, the path fol- lowed by the other kind of heroism is brilliantly lighted with the healing rays of Christian charity-It is the noble work of the monks of that desolate, but famous mountain pass, known as the Great St. Bernard.
 History of the Pass and Hospice
 At what remote period in the his tory of the world man began to use the Great St. Bernard Pass, that re- nowned highway across the Alps be- tween Switzerland and Italy, nobody can tell. It is however an established fact that 1t was in general use long before the present Hospice was founded there by Bernard de Men thon towards the middle of the 10th Century. In the Roman era the Pass was known as Mons Jovis the Mountain of Jupiter and at that time as excavations have indicated, a Temple of Jupiter stood not far from the summit of the Pass.
 In connection with this place of worship the Romans also built a shelter for the benefit of the Imperial messengers and soldiers Christian rulers transformed the same later on into regular hospice, but 1t was de- stroyed in the 9th Century. A bar barrie tribe then began to invade that part of the country. It robbed and killed all travellers who journeyed over that route and the Pass became well nigh impossible. At this point legend begins to associate itself with history and we learn how Bernard de Mention, a wise and saintly priest lu Aosta (on the Italian side of the Pass) resolved to visit the horde of robbers after some French pilgrims had informed him that the highway men had held back every tenth mem Der of their party. Accompanied by few brave men and chanting Chris tian songs, Bernard de Mention set out on his perilous venture, choosing himself the ill-fated tenth row.
 Very soon they reached the heights of the Jupiter Mountain and were faced by 8 giant who seemed to be the very embodiment of the will. But the couraseous priest from Aosta never fa1tered; his crucifix worked miracles, for 1t broke the power of the thirsty monster and spread fear and terror among the whole band of the robbers. In wild confu- sion they dispersed into all directions of the. wind and were never heard Of agatn-Bernard de Mention then de- cided to erect a new hospice right on the summit of the Pass on the border of a sombre little lake
 The new foundation grew rapidly under the special protection of pow erful princes and prelates. The Pope took it un der shis particular and in dividual care and even today, many of the privileges which have been bestowed upon it in in the past are jealously preserved; amongst others is the unique distinction that the Provost of the Order of Monks who live and work there is not subject to any diocesan except the Pope him. self and the Holy See. In spite of thie powerful protection the Hospice had to endure many trials. Fire and storm nearly ruined 1t on several oc- cestons and the greater part of the present building dates from the 18th Century, when 8 disastrous confla- grafton had about reduced the old structure to ashes.
 A large new wing was added as re- gently as 1901 and the Hospice as we ilow behold it Is consequently partly HA 18th Century and partly 8 new Istructure.
 I Napoleon Bonaparte and the Pass.
 N1ven the great Corsican took a vii vid interest in the work of the Hos pice and he decided that the monks of the Great St. Bernard should have : the monopoly of the hospitality in the Alps. The abbeys of St-Maurfce and the Great St. Bernard were con- sequently joined and the adrninistra- ton of the hospices on the SimpIon and Mont Cenis was also entrusted to their care.
 One of the most remarkable events in the history of the Great St. Ser nard is undoubtedly Napo1eon's fa-