108 flower's BARllOW. 



hour, my Brethren would have been ignorant of the existence of the 

 war, did I not sometimes engage their prayers, for the purpose of dis- 

 arming the thunder of Divine vengeance, and of averting those evils, 

 which our crimes have called do>vn upon our heads. Come then, Sir, 

 visit if you please, our humble mansion ; engage Mr. Bond to accompany 

 you in your visit: I shall feel a pleasure in receiving both, and feel an 

 equal pleasure in communicating to both equally, all our papers without 

 reserve. If requested, you shall be admitted to hold conversation with 

 my Brethren; and nothing shall be omitted to convince you of the 

 wretched ignorance, or the wanton malice, of those who could dissemi- 

 nate such lying rumours. It is now almost eight years since two Pro- 

 vincial Magistrates, made an inquisitorial visit, in order to examine 

 whether Jerome Buonaparte, was not concealed in some corner of the 

 house, with a certain supply of arms and ammunition. Having been at 

 that time, Procurator to the house, I unfolded, with a scrupulous 

 pimctnality, every place to their minute inspection; and in conclusion, 

 they assured me of their friendship, owned themselves ashamed of the 

 ridiculous imputation, Avhich had been the occasion of their visit; but 

 alleged tlie necessity under which they lay, of abating the effervescence 

 of certain Avarm imaginations. Your visit. Sir, and that of Mr. Bond, 

 will, I have no doubt, be attended with a like effect; it will convince 

 you, (if conviction would be necessary,) that the phantom of suspicion 

 which has been conjured up in the present instance, is only the raw- 

 head and bloody-bones of some distempered imagination; and I shall not 

 greatly lament the affair, as at least it will procure me the honour of 

 seeing you. 



*' I request, Sir, that you will communicate my letter to the Counsellor, 

 and, as to the rest, I leave you to make of it what use you think pro- 

 per; convinced, as I am, that the man can have nothing to apprehend, 

 who writes only in conformity to the dictates of truth and conscience. 



I have the honour to bo, 

 Your very humble and obedient Servant, 



F. Anthony, 



Prior of La Trappe. 



La Trappe, Ltdivorth, 



26th, October, 1811. 



About two years after the restoration of the Bourbons to the 

 throne, the Monks of La Trappe left Lulworth, and again 

 returned to France ; Louis xviii, having given them land, and 

 buildings at Mellieraye, in Normandy. Still, they appear not 



