“The Press” In 1865

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30715, 2 April 1965, Page 12

“The Press” In 1865

April 2 TRAPPISTINE A close observer may discern another and characteristic reason for the peculiar form in which the philanthropy of La Trappe is allowed to display itself. The rule of that convent, as is well known, is one of unmitigated strictness. Whoever enters is required to take two vows, one of perpetual silence, the other of perpetual attempts at self-mortifica-tion. No scheme could be devised more cleverly adapted to strain to the utmost the harshness of both these vows than that of employing the devotees in the manufacture of strong drink . .. Imagine a neophyte taking his place at the table, and for the first time exposed to the tempting influence of the trappistine bowl ... as glass succeeds glass and the

sweet spirit steals into his brain, we can fancy him losing his self possession. The prior looks less and less austere, the faces of the monks flash brighter and brighter with merriment, the restraint of expressing his convivial feelings only through the dumb signs Of good fellowship becomes every moment more intolerable; till at last the fatal instant is reached when nature can endure no more, the warnings of prudence are cast altogether to the winds, and with a sudden impulse he springs to his feet, lifts up his voice, and makes the half re-echo with a bacchanalian chant. Let us drop a veil over the following scene, nor attempt to depict the frightful “next morning” that awaits the unwary wassailler . . . Converting infidels should be a more satisfactory employment to a monk even than brewing trappistine.