31 



chateaux, and farms ; it also held lands in Sicily, Flanders, 

 and England. From various causes, both religious and 

 secular, the Convent has since been shorn of its possessions, 

 and the Monks reduced to poverty, and compelled even to 

 beg for the means of subsistence. A vineyard at Clarens, 

 and a farm at Eoche, both in tlie Pays de Vaud, are now 

 their principal property ; and these small resources are 

 further aided by collections regularly made in the Swiss 

 Cantons, and by the unsolicited bounty of travellers, who, 

 to the number of 7 or 8000, annually visit the Hospice. 



The Author then describes the route which he followed 

 from the town of Martigny, in the Valois, to the Hospice, 

 a distance of about 14 Swiss leagues, or 35 English miles, 

 noticing as he passes along, various objects of interest, 

 either observed on the journey or suggested by the different 

 localities ; among these the inundation of the Dranse in 

 1818, by which the greater part of the town of Martigny 

 was swept away, and ruin and destruction carried over a 

 wide extent of country, occupies a prominent place. The 

 Convent was reached in ten hours and a half, without any 

 serious obstacle having been encountered on the way. 



The general appearance and position of the Hospice are 

 next detailed. It is a large barn-like structure, situated 

 upon the very summit of the Pass, in a narrow ravine, and 

 at an elevation of 8,200 English feet above the level of the 

 sea ; and is the highest human habitation of the Old World 

 which is regularly inhabited during the whole year. The 

 chief building contains sleeping accommodation for 60 or 80 

 persons, and including an adjoining smaller house named 

 the Hotel de St. Louis, as many as 500 or GOO persons 

 may obtain shelter and assistance beneath the roof of the 

 establishment. 



The internal arrangement and aspect of the Hospice are 

 then described, and the wild and dreary scenery by which it is 

 surrounded lightly sketched. Supper is next passed in 

 review, with the appearance and conversation of the Monks. 

 The number actually resident at the Hospice is from twelve 

 to fourteen. They enter upon their duties at the age of 

 eighteen, and engage to devote fifteen years to works of 

 active benevolence in these desolate regions, but few are 

 robust enough to accomplish this term without experiencing 

 its effects in impaired health and a broken constitution. 



The brethren of St. Bernard are regular canons of the 

 Order of Augnstinian Monks the four classes of 



mendicants, called also •' Austin Friars." Their number is 

 not limited, but usually varies from 20 to 30; of these, as 



