238 
THE MONASTERY. 
its tiny mosquito-curtained bed, and held up to 
be kissed by all who would. 
The monastery is by a long way the most in- 
viting residence in the place. It is away back 
behind the swamp plain, and about 500 feet 
above sea - level, at the foot of the abrupt 
range of the Tiring Rocks. The priests are 
greatly beloved by the people, and are indefati- 
gable in their work amongst them. In a morn- 
ing walk you are sure to meet several of them 
cantering along on their small ponies, with the 
long black skirts of their coats floating behind 
them, as they go to visit the sick and the dying, 
or hasten to some tiny outlying edifice for the 
benefit of those who will not come to the im- 
posing church in the town. Lahany is a pictur- 
esque spot by a foaming stream. The priests’ 
neat domicile occupies the centre of a square of 
well-kept houses for the boys, vines flourish 
on the walls, and the garden is fruitful and gay. 
Over a. hundred boys are being educated, and 
the result is most encouraging, some being such 
apt pupils and developing such qualities, that 
they go out as missionaries to other possessions 
of Portugal. 
The site of the convent has not been so for- 
tunately chosen : it is right down on the shore, 
