GRAND DUKE TO BECOME MONK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 173, 14 August 1909, Page 3

GRAND DUKE TO BECOME MONK.

The CJra'iid Duke Dmitri Coustantinoviteh, cousin of the Czar of Russia, lias suddenly announced his intention of abandoning hi* immense fortune and entering a monastery. As son of a Czar's 'brother. Dmitri Coiislnnlinoviteh was born in the midst of unlimited luxury, llis high rank gaye him the usual benefits of an army of servants', courtiers, and slaves, the richest of rooms, the heaviest of gold plate, and the most splendid of jewels. Largo tracts of forests were his; mines filled with gems and farms populated with a thousand slaves belonged to him. Dmitri Coiislnnlinoviteh enjoyed his wealth to the utmost. But it is said that satiety I has brought a distaste for things worldly,

Were he an Anglo-Saxon, lie would talk about the simple life. As it is, he chooses to retire from the world altogether and live as a monk, lie'takes no evidence of his wealth with him. The endowments he will give to the ljiomis; tcry ave not for his use, but for l|)f poor. I[i,s ca.rlh.ly possessions are to consist of a wooden lied without a mattress, a blanket of coarse brown wool to cover him. a pillow of wood with a niche carved for the nccji, a vmli-.liftti tomed chair. 9 wooden candlestick, one pair of wooden pattens, one haircloth shirt, one cassock of coarse wool, a cowl, n?id a rosarv.

During more thai) tlire.o mantes i)i the year he will eat neither meat, eggs, butter, cheese, nor fish. Tits fare will, at such times, consist of harley boiled In water, cakes fried in oil. and lilack bread. At oilier times he will eat broth. & slice of boiled beef, or an egg.

lie will keep "his own cell clean and cultivate with' his own hands the little garden allotted to him. ITc will rise for prayer.i'at two in the night and get up at six for the dav. TTe will not talk ■ to his brother monks in the refectory . 'cxee.pt on rave occasions, when called " upon tq Ah fifl by the alftot. ' H'l'3 name, let alone his title, is .to. he. left outside, and he is tn. lie knovtn, to , (lie other iprnali's W a new one c'ljbspn. lon ids entrance. This life, to pne,Vyho has had nil tint wealth, ljivft flitf ip-ncial uni-ition can «!vi>, \t(i\\)t\ feeiyi h ,k somewhat st.crn aud »»w* ■ «.»-7 9i '•; ' « ' ' ...now. u... vet ! Dmitri Cnnstantinovitch has delfterateiv clioseti it.