Thick forest of beech-trees.--Fearful glimpses of the torrent.--Throne of Moses.--Lofty bridge.--Distant view of the Convent.--Profound calm.--Enter the convent gate.--Arched aisle.--Welcomed by the father Coadjutor.--The Secretary and Procurator.--Conversation with them.--A walk amongst the cloisters and galleries.--Pictures of different Convents of the order.--Grand Hall adorned with historical paintings of St. Bruno’s life. 314
Cloisters of extraordinary dimensions.--Cells of the Monks.--Severity of the order.--Death-like calm.--The great Chapel.--Its interior.--Marvellous events relating to St. Bruno.--Retire to my cell.--Strange writings of St. Bruno.--Sketch of his Life.--Appalling occurrence.--Vision of the Bishop of Grenoble.--First institution of the Carthusian order.--Death of St. Bruno.--His translation. 324
Mystic discourse.--A mountain ramble.--A benevolent Hermit.--Red light in the northern sky.--Lose my way in the solitary hills.--Approach of night. 335
Pastoral scenery of Valombré.--Ascent of the highest Peak in the Desert.--Grand amphitheatre of Mountains.--Farewell benediction of the Fathers. 342
Revisit the trees on the summit of Saleve.--Pas d’Echelle.--Moneti.--Bird’s-eye prospects.--Alpine flowers.--Extensive view from the summit of Saleve.--Youthful enthusiasm.--Sad realities. 357
Chalet under the Beech-trees.--A mountain Bridge.--Solemnity of the night.--The Comedie.--Relaxation of Genevese Morality. 366
Passage to Ostend.--The Capuchin church.--Ghent.--Quiet and Content, the presiding deities of Flanders.--Antwerp.--The Place de Meir.--Silence and solitude of the town, contrasted with the tumult and uproar of London.
We had a rough passage, and arrived at this imperial haven in a piteous condition. Notwithstanding its renown and importance, it is but a scurvy place--preposterous Flemish roofs disgust your eyes when cast upwards--swaggering Dutch skippers and mongrel smugglers are the principal objects they meet with below; and then the whole atmosphere is impregnated with the fumes of tobacco, burnt peat, and garlick. I should esteem myself in luck, were the nuisances of this seaport confined only to two senses; but, alas! the apartment above my head proves a squalling brattery, and the sounds which proceed from it are so loud and frequent, that a person might think himself in limbo, without any extravagance.
