A VILLAGE OF NUNS.

Western Star, Issue 66, 13 February 1875, Page 3

A VILLAGE OF NUNS.

Although occasionally in Great Britain young ladies who are uncomfortable at home, or who find that the pleasures of life are more than neutralised by its duties, become Roman Catholics and immure themselves in convents, yet their disappearance from the world excites but little sensation outside of their own domestic circle. If, however, all the young ladies in England “ took the veil” en masse, it is probable that society would rise “as one man,” and protest against the proceeding. Such a catastrophe has lately occurred at a Roumanian village, Beilina, GHurgevo, where not long ago certain Catholic priests came in for some hard usage from the inhabitants. The priests, however, in spite of prosecution, not only continued preaehh.g, but preached in such a persuasive manner that the hearts of all the ladies of Beilina became filled with pious enthusiasm. More and more eloquent became the priests, and more and more enthusiastic became their fair audiences, until a religious epidemic set in with the results which, as reported by the /Towns, are positively frightful. A neighbouring convent was suddenly invaded by a host of village maidens who insi ted, notwithstanding the energetic opposition of their fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins, and admirers, in assuming the veil. The majority of the marriageable girls of Beilina thus disappeared within the convent walls. The religious party were exultant, while the unregenerate portion of the community were desperate. In an evil moment the priests incautiously determined to send the young novices to Bucharest and distribute them among the convents of that city. This was too much for the youth of Beilina to endure. Headed by the exasperated and bereaved relatives of the novices, the whole population of the village have, by latest accounts, risen to oppose by force a departure which, according to the Towns, “ will close the door to hope, and lead to the ultimate depopulation of Beilina.”