144 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



Women are not the only exiled creatures ; the females 

 of all domesticated animals are banished from the 

 sacred promontory as effectually as though they never 

 existed. And thus do the monks seek to separate 

 their minds for ever from the world, by removing 

 women and all appertaining thereto from their cog- 

 nizance. But it seems almost certain that the means 

 defeat the end in view. Woman, though lost to 

 sight, is to their memory dear. Seen through the haze 

 of recollection, the faults are toned down, and women 

 must exercise an assailing power on their memory, and 

 especially on their imagination, that no abstinence or 

 midnight services can lessen. 



But the good fathers are not able to cope with the 

 females of all living things, for there are present the 

 females of pigeons, rats, and fleas whole families of 

 the latter from all the Eussias, both the Turkeys, and 

 from all parts of Greece and Syria. In consequence of 

 the rats, the monasteries abound with tom-cats, whose 

 discordant cries vex the doleful ear of night, and of 

 the traveller. In fact, he will find male poultry and 

 dogs, male asses and horses, and a town without 

 women and without noise namely, Karies, the capital. 



The monks of Athos are dressed in black robes, and 

 wear high, brimless, felt caps, over which a black 

 cloth is thrown. They glide about the ancient convent 

 passages in a ghostly manner, wearing noiseless felt 

 slippers. The attendants told off to minister to the 

 wants of guests who come like angels' visits are 

 exceedingly kind and attentive. 



