Life In A Modern Monastery

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1898 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII OF CEETAIN DOMESTIC ARRANGEMENTS TN the average Englishman, the most definite impression evoked in connection with the monastic orders is that of the picturesqueness of their costume--in an age, too, when the normal male costume only attracts attention by its loud defiance of aesthetics. Every ecclesiastical function that aims at a meretricious effect upon English observers, so stubborn to argument, seeks to grace itself by the presence of groups of regulars in their quaint costumes. Even the Jesuits, whose hand is against every man's in the Church, and every man's hand against them, suavely invite deputations from all the London monasteries to their principal festivals, with the alluring prospect of a Jesuit luncheon in the background. The journalist may be relied upon to notice that feature of a Catholic ceremony at least. A famous Jesuit preacher in the north of England was once heard to depreciate his own staid costume in contrast with the habit of his Franciscan rivals, and to attribute more than half the effect of their sermons to their appearance. Then, in some quarters, a discussion arises as to the wisdom and good taste of exhibiting such fantastic habiliments in this sober age: the Catholic usually averting the controversy by appealing to the equally abnormal costumes of the barrister, the judge, or the academician. But, in point of fact, there is a meaning in the retention Of these old-world costumes which is generally overlooked; and as it is a theme which the monks themselves are not minded to hear discussed, they withdraw attention from it by pointing out to the sympathetic inquirer a symbolism, which has really been imported into their costume long after its original adoption. The philosophy of clothes is, in reality, not the lea...