A ROMISH SISTERHOOD IN THE HIMALAYAS.

Western Star, Issue 932, 21 March 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

A ROMISH SISTERHOOD IN THE HIMALAYAS.

The finest position in Massourie is occupied by a great Soman Catholic Convent, the sisters of which undertake the education of a very large proportion of the Protestant girls in station. 'Che convent is perched on the brow of a hill, whence the view on every side is magnificent. Often at sunset and at dawn 1 found myself tracing the little woodland path that led from oar domicile up to the nans’ groves, till I had acquired almost a romantic interest in the sisterhood, and a sincere desire to cultivate their acquaintance. Judge of the sudden collapse of these kindly feelings when, one evening as I was returning along by the brow of the hill from a distant sketching expedition, and laden with a heavy sketching block and other paraphernalia, 10l I encountered a grave and silent band of solemn sisters, the foremost of whom accosted me with the utmost acerbity, and informed me that the whole hill and all the walks on it were the private property of the convent, and that I was a trespasser! Imagine being pursued by such a word even in the Himalayas I Whether they had legal right on their side I know not. They certainly had might in point of numbers, whereas I was alone and heavily laden, so that there was no use in disputing the question, or in attempting to point out to these irascible and illogical Women that the path whereon we stood would, in a very few minutes laud me- at home. I could not well get past them, as they might have given me a rapid impetus down the Khad, so there was nothing for it but to return half a mile or more, and descend to the high road, whence all view of the snows was effectually shut out by the very hill whereon these sour and selfish old maids were taking their eventide constitutional. I need scarcely say that such rare lack of courtesy dispelled at once and forever all romantic illusions concerning the meek and holy sisters, and that my future visits to the hilltop were so judiciously timed as to avoid further acquaintance with them, though X am bound to add that I heard them highly spoken of by sundry Protestant mothers who had entrusted their daughters toj their charge.—- In. the jHimalayas,