CARPATHIAN HERMITS

Evening Star, Issue 16263, 4 November 1916, Page 10

CARPATHIAN HERMITS

Rumania's participation in the great war will most probably be at an end with the war itself before one small section of the Rumanian community learns of the conflict that is engaging the European nations today. Tho monks who live a retired life among the Carpathian mountains, and in their habits have almost reverted, in some l'Gspects, to the customs of primitive man, did not know of the accession to the Rumanian throne of King Charles and his Consort till the late Queen, Carmen Sylva, came accidentally on a group of them some 20 years ago. The Queen and some member of her Court were on one of the exploring excursions in which the Queen delighted, so long as health permitted, when they encountered a being with a beard as of one of the ancient prophets, hair that covered his back, and finger-nails like the talons of a bird. He was almost unable to speak, but a shrill whistle brought five brother monks, ono of whom was able to conduct an intelligible conversation with the Royal party. These anchorites had lived among the fastnesses of the Carpathians longer than they knew. Their only calendar was a series of white stones set beneath a tree, one being added as the season approached for the disappearance of frost and snow. When told that th<> Queen was with them they muttered something about "Tsar Nicholas," whov within their memory had extended hi; protection over the Danubian provinces, and fir die prosperity of who-ic reign thfv st: 1 ; continued to pray.