32 



already noticed, 12 or 10 reside in the Convent, 8 occupy 

 the cures attached to the establishment, and several disabled 

 by age or infirmity are located at Martigny. 



The Superior of the Convent bears the title of Provost, 

 and is crossed and mitred ; he is elected by the Chapter, 

 and the post is held during life. Those alone are eligible 

 to the dignity who have devoted their youth to the exercise 

 of hospitality in the Convent, and when elected, permission 

 is granted them to reside at Martigny. The subordinate 

 officers rank in the following order and are thus named : — 

 The Claustral Prior, who resides constantly in the Hospice 

 and governs the community ; the Sacristan ; the Cellerier, 

 or Commissary ; the Clavandier, or Steward, and the Infir- 

 mier, or Nurse. Those offices are held only for three years. 



The dress of the Monks is of black cloth, reaching 

 nearly to the ancle, nnd buttoned from top to bottom ; and 

 a black conical cap, surmounted by a tuft, is worn upon the 

 head. The distinguishing badge of the order is, a very 

 narrow white band or scarf, which by a slit is passed round 

 the neck, and the ends are fastened before and behind in a 

 girdle which encircles the waist. The whole costume is 

 simple and becoming. 



The dogs of St. Bernard, which have long been cele- 

 brated, are bred at Martigny, where they are allowed to 

 remain till of sufficient age to he trained for their peculiar 

 duties. There are never more than six kept at the Hospice, 

 and when sent out upon the snow, they are always accom- 

 paniedby one of the brethren, or a domestic. 



The Author next gives some account of the climate 

 which prevails at the Hospice. The cold in winter, which 

 lasts during nine months of the year, is excessive, and thick 

 fogs are almost perpetual. The thermometer has frequently 

 been observed at 18° and 20? below Zero of Fahrenheit. 

 The severest cold recorded is — 29° of Fahrenheit, and the 

 greatest heat G8 Q ; but, even in the height of summer, it 

 always freezes in the morning. The snow-storms (named 

 tourmentes) and the avalanches are shortly noticed, and 

 some details given of accidents which have befallen members 

 of the Convent from the hitter. 



The Author passed the night in the Hospice, and visited 

 next morning the Museum, in which is preserved a tolerable 

 collection of the natural products of the surrounding district, 

 and various relics obtained from the ancient temple of 

 Jupiter on this mountain — also the Library, which contains 

 a good collection of books, some of them in English, and 

 chiefly theological — and the Morgue, in which are deposited 



