Nemoregulas，seuconstitutionesnostras，externiscommunicabit。
Thepupilsonedaysucceededingettingpossessionofthisbook，andsettoreadingitwithavidity，areadingwhichwasofteninterruptedbythefearofbeingcaught，whichcausedthemtoclosethevolumeprecipitately。
Fromthegreatdangerthusincurredtheyderivedbutaverymoderateamountofpleasure。Themost\"interestingthing\"theyfoundweresomeunintelligiblepagesaboutthesinsofyoungboys。
Theyplayedinanalleyofthegardenborderedwithafewshabbyfruit—trees。Inspiteoftheextremesurveillanceandtheseverityofthepunishmentsadministered，whenthewindhadshakenthetrees，theysometimessucceededinpickingupagreenappleoraspoiledapricotoraninhabitedpearonthesly。Iwillnowcedetheprivilegeofspeechtoaletterwhichliesbeforeme，aletterwrittenfiveandtwentyyearsagobyanoldpupil，nowMadamelaDuchessede————
oneofthemostelegantwomeninParis。Iquoteliterally:
\"Onehidesone’spearorone’sappleasbestonemay。
Whenonegoesupstairstoputtheveilonthebedbeforesupper，onestuffsthemunderone’spillowandatnightoneeatstheminbed，andwhenonecannotdothat，oneeatstheminthecloset。\"
Thatwasoneoftheirgreatestluxuries。
Once——itwasattheepochofthevisitfromthearchbishoptotheconvent——
oneoftheyounggirls，MademoiselleBouchard，whowasconnectedwiththeMontmorencyfamily，laidawagerthatshewouldaskforaday’sleaveofabsence——anenormityinsoaustereacommunity。
Thewagerwasaccepted，butnotoneofthosewhobetbelievedthatshewoulddoit。Whenthemomentcame，asthearchbishopwaspassinginfrontofthepupils，MademoiselleBouchard，totheindescribableterrorofhercompanions，steppedoutoftheranks，andsaid，\"Monseigneur，aday’sleaveofabsence。\"MademoiselleBouchardwastall，blooming，withtheprettiestlittlerosyfaceintheworld。
M。deQuelensmiledandsaid，\"What，mydearchild，aday’sleaveofabsence！Threedaysifyoulike。Igrantyouthreedays。\"
Theprioresscoulddonothing；thearchbishophadspoken。
Horroroftheconvent，butjoyofthepupil。Theeffectmaybeimagined。
Thissterncloisterwasnotsowellwalledoff，however，butthatthelifeofthepassionsoftheoutsideworld，drama，andevenromance，didnotmaketheirwayin。Toprovethis，wewillconfineourselvestorecordinghereandtobrieflymentioningarealandincontestablefact，which，however，bearsnoreferenceinitselfto，andisnotconnectedbyanythreadwhateverwiththestorywhichwearerelating。Wementionthefactforthesakeofcompletingthephysiognomyoftheconventinthereader’smind。
Aboutthistimetherewasintheconventamysteriouspersonwhowasnotanun，whowastreatedwithgreatrespect，andwhowasaddressedasMadameAlbertine。Nothingwasknownabouther，savethatshewasmad，andthatintheworldshepassedfordead。
Beneaththishistoryitwassaidtherelaythearrangementsoffortunenecessaryforagreatmarriage。
Thiswoman，hardlythirtyyearsofage，ofdarkcomplexionandtolerablypretty，hadavaguelookinherlargeblackeyes。
Couldshesee？Therewassomedoubtaboutthis。Sheglidedratherthanwalked，sheneverspoke；itwasnotquiteknownwhethershebreathed。Hernostrilswerelividandpinchedasafteryieldinguptheirlastsigh。Totouchherhandwasliketouchingsnow。
Shepossessedastrangespectralgrace。Whereversheentered，peoplefeltcold。Onedayasister，onseeingherpass，saidtoanothersister，\"Shepassesforadeadwoman。\"\"Perhapssheisone，\"
repliedtheother。
AhundredtalesweretoldofMadameAlbertine。Thisarosefromtheeternalcuriosityofthepupils。InthechapeltherewasagallerycalledL’OEildeBoeuf。Itwasinthisgallery，whichhadonlyacircularbay，anoeildeboeuf，thatMadameAlbertinelistenedtotheoffices。Shealwaysoccupieditalonebecausethisgallery，beingonthelevelofthefirststory，thepreacherortheofficiatingpriestcouldbeseen，whichwasinterdictedtothenuns。
Onedaythepulpitwasoccupiedbyayoungpriestofhighrank，M。LeDucdeRohan，peerofFrance，officeroftheRedMusketeersin1815whenhewasPrincedeLeon，andwhodiedafterward，in1830，ascardinalandArchbishopofBesancon。ItwasthefirsttimethatM。deRohanhadpreachedatthePetit—Picpusconvent。
MadameAlbertineusuallypreservedperfectcalmnessandcompleteimmobilityduringthesermonsandservices。Thatday，assoonasshecaughtsightofM。deRohan，shehalfrose，andsaid，inaloudvoice，amidthesilenceofthechapel，\"Ah！Auguste！\"Thewholecommunityturnedtheirheadsinamazement，thepreacherraisedhiseyes，butMadameAlbertinehadrelapsedintoherimmobility。
Abreathfromtheouterworld，aflashoflife，hadpassedforaninstantacrossthatcoldandlifelessfaceandhadthenvanished，andthemadwomanhadbecomeacorpseagain。
Thosetwowords，however，hadseteveryoneintheconventwhohadtheprivilegeofspeechtochattering。Howmanythingswerecontainedinthat\"Ah！Auguste！\"whatrevelations！M。deRohan’snamereallywasAuguste。ItwasevidentthatMadameAlbertinebelongedtotheveryhighestsociety，sincesheknewM。deRohan，andthatherownranktherewasofthehighest，sinceshespokethusfamiliarlyofsogreatalord，andthatthereexistedbetweenthemsomeconnection，ofrelationship，perhaps，butaverycloseoneinanycase，sincesheknewhis\"petname。\"
Twoverysevereduchesses，MesdamesdeChoiseulanddeSerent，oftenvisitedthecommunity，whithertheypenetrated，nodoubt，invirtueoftheprivilegeMagnatesmulieres，andcausedgreatconsternationintheboarding—school。Whenthesetwooldladiespassedby，allthepooryounggirlstrembledanddroppedtheireyes。
Moreover，M。deRohan，quiteunknowntohimself，wasanobjectofattentiontotheschool—girls。Atthatepochhehadjustbeenmade，whilewaitingfortheepiscopate，vicar—generaloftheArchbishopofParis。ItwasoneofhishabitstocometolerablyoftentocelebratetheofficesinthechapelofthenunsofthePetit—Picpus。Notoneoftheyoungreclusescouldseehim，becauseofthesergecurtain，buthehadasweetandrathershrillvoice，whichtheyhadcometoknowandtodistinguish。Hehadbeenamousquetaire，andthen，hewassaidtobeverycoquettish，thathishandsomebrownhairwasverywelldressedinarollaroundhishead，andthathehadabroadgirdleofmagnificentmoire，andthathisblackcassockwasofthemostelegantcutintheworld。Heheldagreatplaceinalltheseimaginationsofsixteenyears。
Notasoundfromwithoutmadeitswayintotheconvent。Buttherewasoneyearwhenthesoundofaflutepenetratedthither。
Thiswasanevent，andthegirlswhowereatschoolthereatthetimestillrecallit。
Itwasaflutewhichwasplayedintheneighborhood。Thisflutealwaysplayedthesameair，anairwhichisveryfarawaynowadays，——\"MyZetulbe，comereigno’ermysoul，\"——anditwasheardtwoorthreetimesaday。Theyounggirlspassedhoursinlisteningtoit，thevocalmotherswereupsetbyit，brainswerebusy，punishmentsdescendedinshowers。Thislastedforseveralmonths。
Thegirlswereallmoreorlessinlovewiththeunknownmusician。
EachonedreamedthatshewasZetulbe。ThesoundofthefluteproceededfromthedirectionoftheRueDroit—Mur；andtheywouldhavegivenanything，compromisedeverything，attemptedanythingforthesakeofseeing，ofcatchingaglance，ifonlyforasecond，ofthe\"youngman\"whoplayedthatflutesodeliciously，andwho，nodoubt，playedonallthesesoulsatthesametime。Thereweresomewhomadetheirescapebyabackdoor，andascendedtothethirdstoryontheRueDroit—Murside，inordertoattempttocatchaglimpsethroughthegaps。Impossible！Oneevenwentsofarastothrustherarmthroughthegrating，andtowaveherwhitehandkerchief。
Twowerestillbolder。Theyfoundmeanstoclimbonaroof，andriskedtheirlivesthere，andsucceededatlastinseeing\"theyoungman。\"
Hewasanoldemigregentleman，blindandpenniless，whowasplayinghisfluteinhisattic，inordertopassthetime。
CHAPTERVI
THELITTLECONVENT
InthisenclosureofthePetit—Picpustherewerethreeperfectlydistinctbuildings，——theGreatConvent，inhabitedbythenuns，theBoarding—school，wherethescholarswerelodged；andlastly，whatwascalledtheLittleConvent。Itwasabuildingwithagarden，inwhichlivedallsortsofagednunsofvariousorders，therelicsofcloistersdestroyedintheRevolution；areunionofalltheblack，gray，andwhitemedleysofallcommunitiesandallpossiblevarieties；
whatmightbecalled，ifsuchacouplingofwordsispermissible，asortofharlequinconvent。
WhentheEmpirewasestablished，allthesepoorolddispersedandexiledwomenhadbeenaccordedpermissiontocomeandtakeshelterunderthewingsoftheBernardines—Benedictines。Thegovernmentpaidthemasmallpension，theladiesofthePetit—Picpusreceivedthemcordially。Itwasasingularpell—mell。Eachfollowedherownrule，Sometimesthepupilsoftheboarding—schoolwereallowed，asagreatrecreation，topaythemavisit；theresultis，thatallthoseyoungmemorieshaveretainedamongothersouvenirsthatofMotherSainte—Bazile，MotherSainte—Scolastique，andMotherJacob。
Oneoftheserefugeesfoundherselfalmostathome。ShewasanunofSainte—Aure，theonlyoneofherorderwhohadsurvived。
TheancientconventoftheladiesofSainte—Aureoccupied，atthebeginningoftheeighteenthcentury，thisveryhouseofthePetit—Picpus，whichbelongedlatertotheBenedictinesofMartinVerga。Thisholywoman，toopoortowearthemagnificenthabitofherorder，whichwasawhiterobewithascarletscapulary，hadpiouslyputitonalittlemanikin，whichsheexhibitedwithcomplacencyandwhichshebequeathedtothehouseatherdeath。
In1824，onlyonenunofthisorderremained；to—day，thereremainsonlyadoll。
Inadditiontotheseworthymothers，someoldsocietywomenhadobtainedpermissionoftheprioress，likeMadameAlbertine，toretireintotheLittleConvent。AmongthenumberwereMadameBeaufortd’HautpoulandMarquiseDufresne。Anotherwasneverknownintheconventexceptbytheformidablenoisewhichshemadewhensheblewhernose。ThepupilscalledherMadameVacarmini（hubbub）。
About1820or1821，MadamedeGenlis，whowasatthattimeeditingalittleperiodicalpublicationcalledl’Intrepide，askedtobeallowedtoentertheconventofthePetit—Picpusasladyresident。
TheDucd’Orleansrecommendedher。Uproarinthehive；thevocal—motherswereallinaflutter；MadamedeGenlishadmaderomances。
Butshedeclaredthatshewasthefirsttodetestthem，andthen，shehadreachedherfiercestageofdevotion。WiththeaidofGod，andofthePrince，sheentered。Shedepartedattheendofsixoreightmonths，allegingasareason，thattherewasnoshadeinthegarden。Thenunsweredelighted。Althoughveryold，shestillplayedtheharp，anddiditverywell。
Whenshewentawayshelefthermarkinhercell。MadamedeGenliswassuperstitiousandaLatinist。Thesetwowordsfurnishatolerablygoodprofileofher。Afewyearsago，therewerestilltobeseen，pastedintheinsideofalittlecupboardinhercellinwhichshelockeduphersilverwareandherjewels，thesefivelinesinLatin，writtenwithherownhandinredinkonyellowpaper，andwhich，inheropinion，possessedthepropertyoffrighteningawayrobbers:——
Imparibusmeritispendenttriacorporaramis:[15]
DismasetGesmas，mediaestdivinapotestas；
AltapetitDismas，infelix，infima，Gesmas；
Nosetresnostrasconservetsummapotestas。
Hosversusdicas，netufurtotuaperdas。
[15]Ontheboughshangthreebodiesofunequalmerits:
DismasandGesmas，betweenisthedivinepower。Dismasseekstheheights，Gesmas，unhappyman，thelowestregions；thehighestpowerwillpreserveusandoureffects。Ifyourepeatthisverse，youwillnotloseyourthingsbytheft。
TheseversesinsixthcenturyLatinraisethequestionwhetherthetwothievesofCalvarywerenamed，asiscommonlybelieved，DismasandGestas，orDismasandGesmas。ThisorthographymighthaveconfoundedthepretensionsputforwardinthelastcenturybytheVicomtedeGestas，ofadescentfromthewickedthief。
However，theusefulvirtueattachedtotheseversesformsanarticleoffaithintheorderoftheHospitallers。
Thechurchofthehouse，constructedinsuchamannerastoseparatetheGreatConventfromtheBoarding—schoollikeaveritableintrenchment，was，ofcourse，commontotheBoarding—school，theGreatConvent，andtheLittleConvent。Thepublicwasevenadmittedbyasortoflazarettoentranceonthestreet。Butallwassoarranged，thatnoneoftheinhabitantsofthecloistercouldseeafacefromtheoutsideworld。Supposeachurchwhosechoirisgraspedinagigantichand，andfoldedinsuchamannerastoform，not，asinordinarychurches，aprolongationbehindthealtar，butasortofhall，orobscurecellar，totherightoftheofficiatingpriest；
supposethishalltobeshutoffbyacurtainsevenfeetinheight，ofwhichwehavealreadyspoken；intheshadowofthatcurtain，pileuponwoodenstallsthenunsinthechoirontheleft，theschool—girlsontheright，thelay—sistersandthenovicesatthebottom，andyouwillhavesomeideaofthenunsofthePetit—Picpusassistingatdivineservice。Thatcavern，whichwascalledthechoir，communicatedwiththecloisterbyalobby。Thechurchwaslightedfromthegarden。Whenthenunswerepresentatserviceswheretheirruleenjoinedsilence，thepublicwaswarnedoftheirpresenceonlybythefoldingseatsofthestallsnoisilyrisingandfalling。
CHAPTERVII
SOMESILHOUETTESOFTHISDARKNESS
Duringthesixyearswhichseparate1819from1825，theprioressofthePetit—PicpuswasMademoiselledeBlemeur，whosename，inreligion，wasMotherInnocente。ShecameofthefamilyofMargueritedeBlemeur，authorofLivesoftheSaintsoftheOrderofSaint—Benoit。Shehadbeenre—elected。Shewasawomanaboutsixtyyearsofage，short，thick，\"singinglikeacrackedpot，\"saystheletterwhichwehavealreadyquoted；anexcellentwoman，moreover，andtheonlymerryoneinthewholeconvent，andforthatreasonadored。
Shewaslearned，erudite，wise，competent，curiouslyproficientinhistory，crammedwithLatin，stuffedwithGreek，fullofHebrew，andmoreofaBenedictinemonkthanaBenedictinenun。
Thesub—prioresswasanoldSpanishnun，MotherCineres，whowasalmostblind。
ThemostesteemedamongthevocalmotherswereMotherSainte—Honorine；
thetreasurer，MotherSainte—Gertrude，thechiefmistressofthenovices；
Mother—Saint—Ange，theassistantmistress；MotherAnnonciation，thesacristan；MotherSaint—Augustin，thenurse，theonlyoneintheconventwhowasmalicious；thenMotherSainte—Mechtilde（MademoiselleGauvain），veryyoungandwithabeautifulvoice；
MotherdesAnges（MademoiselleDrouet），whohadbeenintheconventoftheFilles—Dieu，andintheconventduTresor，betweenGisorsandMagny；MotherSaint—Joseph（MademoiselledeCogolludo），MotherSainte—Adelaide（Mademoiselled’Auverney），MotherMisericorde（MademoiselledeCifuentes，whocouldnotresistausterities），MotherCompassion（MademoiselledelaMiltiere，receivedattheageofsixtyindefianceoftherule，andverywealthy）；
MotherProvidence（MademoiselledeLaudiniere），MotherPresentation（MademoiselledeSiguenza），whowasprioressin1847；andfinally，MotherSainte—Celigne（sisterofthesculptorCeracchi），whowentmad；
MotherSainte—Chantal（MademoiselledeSuzon），whowentmad。
Therewasalso，amongtheprettiestofthem，acharminggirlofthreeandtwenty，whowasfromtheIsledeBourbon，adescendantoftheChevalierRoze，whosenamehadbeenMademoiselleRoze，andwhowascalledMotherAssumption。
MotherSainte—Mechtilde，intrustedwiththesingingandthechoir，wasfondofmakinguseofthepupilsinthisquarter。Sheusuallytookacompletescaleofthem，thatistosay，seven，fromtentosixteenyearsofage，inclusive，ofassortedvoicesandsizes，whomshemadesingstanding，drawnupinaline，sidebyside，accordingtoage，fromthesmallesttothelargest。Thispresentedtotheeye，somethinginthenatureofareed—pipeofyounggirls，asortoflivingPan—pipemadeofangels。
Thoseofthelay—sisterswhomthescholarslovedmostwereSisterEuphrasie，SisterSainte—Marguerite，SisterSainte—Marthe，whowasinherdotage，andSisterSainte—Michel，whoselongnosemadethemlaugh。
Allthesewomenweregentlewiththechildren。Thenunsweresevereonlytowardsthemselves。Nofirewaslightedexceptintheschool，andthefoodwaschoicecomparedtothatintheconvent。
Moreover，theylavishedathousandcaresontheirscholars。Only，whenachildpassednearanunandaddressedher，thenunneverreplied。
Thisruleofsilencehadhadthiseffect，thatthroughoutthewholeconvent，speechhadbeenwithdrawnfromhumancreatures，andbestowedoninanimateobjects。Nowitwasthechurch—bellwhichspoke，nowitwasthegardener’sbell。Averysonorousbell，placedbesidetheportress，andwhichwasaudiblethroughoutthehouse，indicatedbyitsvariedpeals，whichformedasortofacoustictelegraph，alltheactionsofmateriallifewhichweretobeperformed，andsummonedtotheparlor，incaseofneed，suchorsuchaninhabitantofthehouse。Eachpersonandeachthinghaditsownpeal。Theprioresshadoneandone，thesub—prioressoneandtwo。Six—fiveannouncedlessons，sothatthepupilsneversaid\"togotolessons，\"but\"togotosix—five。\"Four—fourwasMadamedeGenlis’ssignal。Itwasveryoftenheard。\"C’estlediableaquatre，——it’stheverydeuce——saidtheuncharitable。
Tenninestrokesannouncedagreatevent。Itwastheopeningofthedoorofseclusion，afrightfulsheetofironbristlingwithboltswhichonlyturnedonitshingesinthepresenceofthearchbishop。
Withtheexceptionofthearchbishopandthegardener，nomanenteredtheconvent，aswehavealreadysaid。Theschoolgirlssawtwoothers:one，thechaplain，theAbbeBanes，oldandugly，whomtheywerepermittedtocontemplateinthechoir，throughagrating；
theotherthedrawing—master，M。Ansiaux，whomtheletter，ofwhichwehaveperusedafewlines，callsM。Anciot，anddescribesasafrightfuloldhunchback。
Itwillbeseenthatallthesemenwerecarefullychosen。
Suchwasthiscurioushouse。
CHAPTERVIII
POSTCORDALAPIDES
Afterhavingsketcheditsmoralface，itwillnotproveunprofitabletopointout，inafewwords，itsmaterialconfiguration。
Thereaderalreadyhassomeideaofit。
TheconventofthePetit—Picpus—Sainte—AntoinefilledalmostthewholeofthevasttrapeziumwhichresultedfromtheintersectionoftheRuePolonceau，theRueDroit—Mur，theRuePetit—Picpus，andtheunusedlane，calledRueAumaraisonoldplans。
Thesefourstreetssurroundedthistrapeziumlikeamoat。
Theconventwascomposedofseveralbuildingsandagarden。
Theprincipalbuilding，takeninitsentirety，wasajuxtapositionofhybridconstructionswhich，viewedfromabird’s—eyeview，outlined，withconsiderableexactness，agibbetlaidflatontheground。
ThemainarmofthegibbetoccupiedthewholeofthefragmentoftheRueDroit—MurcomprisedbetweentheRuePetit—PicpusandtheRuePolonceau；thelesserarmwasalofty，gray，severegratedfacadewhichfacedtheRuePetit—Picpus；thecarriageentranceNo。62
markeditsextremity。Towardsthecentreofthisfacadewasalow，archeddoor，whitenedwithdustandashes，wherethespiderswovetheirwebs，andwhichwasopenonlyforanhourortwoonSundays，andonrareoccasions，whenthecoffinofanunlefttheconvent。
Thiswasthepublicentranceofthechurch。Theelbowofthegibbetwasasquarehallwhichwasusedastheservants’hall，andwhichthenunscalledthebuttery。Inthemainarmwerethecellsofthemothers，thesisters，andthenovices。Inthelesserarmlaythekitchens，therefectory，backedupbythecloistersandthechurch。BetweenthedoorNo。62andthecorneroftheclosedlaneAumarais，wastheschool，whichwasnotvisiblefromwithout。
Theremainderofthetrapeziumformedthegarden，whichwasmuchlowerthantheleveloftheRuePolonceau，whichcausedthewallstobeverymuchhigherontheinsidethanontheoutside。
Thegarden，whichwasslightlyarched，hadinitscentre，onthesummitofahillock，afinepointedandconicalfir—tree，whenceran，asfromthepeakedbossofashield，fourgrandalleys，and，rangedbytwosinbetweenthebranchingsofthese，eightsmallones，sothat，iftheenclosurehadbeencircular，thegeometricalplanofthealleyswouldhaveresembledacrosssuperposedonawheel。
Asthealleysallendedintheveryirregularwallsofthegarden，theywereofunequallength。Theywereborderedwithcurrantbushes。
Atthebottom，analleyoftallpoplarsranfromtheruinsoftheoldconvent，whichwasattheangleoftheRueDroit—MurtothehouseoftheLittleConvent，whichwasattheangleoftheAumaraislane。
InfrontoftheLittleConventwaswhatwascalledthelittlegarden。
Tothiswhole，letthereaderaddacourtyard，allsortsofvariedanglesformedbytheinteriorbuildings，prisonwalls，thelongblacklineofroofswhichborderedtheothersideoftheRuePolonceauforitssoleperspectiveandneighborhood，andhewillbeabletoformforhimselfacompleteimageofwhatthehouseoftheBernardinesofthePetit—Picpuswasfortyyearsago。
Thisholyhousehadbeenbuiltontheprecisesiteofafamoustennis—groundofthefourteenthtothesixteenthcentury，whichwascalledthe\"tennis—groundoftheeleventhousanddevils。\"
Allthesestreets，moreover，weremoreancientthanParis。Thesenames，Droit—MurandAumarais，areveryancient；thestreetswhichbearthemareverymuchmoreancientstill。AumaraisLanewascalledMaugoutLane；theRueDroit—MurwascalledtheRuedesEglantiers，forGodopenedflowersbeforemancutstones。
CHAPTERIX
ACENTURYUNDERAGUIMPE
SinceweareengagedingivingdetailsastowhattheconventofthePetit—Picpuswasinformertimes，andsincewehaveventuredtoopenawindowonthatdiscreetretreat，thereaderwillpermitusoneotherlittledigression，utterlyforeigntothisbook，butcharacteristicanduseful，sinceitshowsthatthecloisterevenhasitsoriginalfigures。
IntheLittleConventtherewasacentenarianwhocamefromtheAbbeyofFontevrault。ShehadevenbeeninsocietybeforetheRevolution。
ShetalkedagreatdealofM。deMiromesnil，KeeperoftheSealsunderLouisXVI。andofaPresidentessDuplat，withwhomshehadbeenveryintimate。Itwasherpleasureandhervanitytodraginthesenamesoneverypretext。ShetoldwondersoftheAbbeyofFontevrault，——
thatitwaslikeacity，andthattherewerestreetsinthemonastery。
ShetalkedwithaPicardaccentwhichamusedthepupils。Everyyear，shesolemnlyrenewedhervows，andatthemomentoftakingtheoath，shesaidtothepriest，\"MonseigneurSaint—FrancoisgaveittoMonseigneurSaint—Julien，MonseigneurSaint—JuliengaveittoMonseigneurSaint—Eusebius，MonseigneurSaint—EusebiusgaveittoMonseigneurSaint—Procopius，etc。，etc。；andthusIgiveittoyou，father。\"Andtheschool—girlswouldbegintolaugh，notintheirsleeves，butundertheirveils；charminglittlestifledlaughswhichmadethevocalmothersfrown。
Onanotheroccasion，thecentenarianwastellingstories。ShesaidthatinheryouththeBernardinemonkswereeverywhitasgoodasthemousquetaires。Itwasacenturywhichspokethroughher，butitwastheeighteenthcentury。Shetoldaboutthecustomofthefourwines，whichexistedbeforetheRevolutioninChampagneandBourgogne。
Whenagreatpersonage，amarshalofFrance，aprince，aduke，andapeer，traversedatowninBurgundyorChampagne，thecityfatherscameouttoharanguehimandpresentedhimwithfoursilvergondolasintowhichtheyhadpouredfourdifferentsortsofwine。
Onthefirstgobletthisinscriptioncouldberead，monkeywine；
onthesecond，lionwine；onthethird，sheepwine；onthefourth，hogwine。Thesefourlegendsexpressthefourstagesdescendedbythedrunkard；thefirst，intoxication，whichenlivens；thesecond，thatwhichirritates；thethird，thatwhichdulls；andthefourth，thatwhichbrutalizes。
Inacupboard，underlockandkey，shekeptamysteriousobjectofwhichshethoughtagreatdeal。TheruleofFontevraultdidnotforbidthis。Shewouldnotshowthisobjecttoanyone。
Sheshutherselfup，whichherruleallowedhertodo，andhidherself，everytimethatshedesiredtocontemplateit。
Ifsheheardafootstepinthecorridor，sheclosedthecupboardagainashastilyasitwaspossiblewithheragedhands。Assoonasitwasmentionedtoher，shebecamesilent，shewhowassofondoftalking。Themostcuriouswerebaffledbyhersilenceandthemosttenaciousbyherobstinacy。Thusitfurnishedasubjectofcommentforallthosewhowereunoccupiedorboredintheconvent。
Whatcouldthattreasureofthecentenarianbe，whichwassopreciousandsosecret？Someholybook，nodoubt？Someuniquechaplet？
Someauthenticrelic？Theylostthemselvesinconjectures。
Whenthepooroldwomandied，theyrushedtohercupboardmorehastilythanwasfitting，perhaps，andopenedit。Theyfoundtheobjectbeneathatriplelinencloth，likesomeconsecratedpaten。
ItwasaFaenzaplatterrepresentinglittleLovesflittingawaypursuedbyapothecaryladsarmedwithenormoussyringes。
Thechaseaboundsingrimacesandincomicalpostures。OneofthecharminglittleLovesisalreadyfairlyspitted。Heisresisting，flutteringhistinywings，andstillmakinganefforttofly，butthedancerislaughingwithasatanicalair。Moral:Loveconqueredbythecolic。Thisplatter，whichisverycurious，andwhichhad，possibly，thehonoroffurnishingMolierewithanidea，wasstillinexistenceinSeptember，1845；itwasforsalebyabric—a—bracmerchantintheBoulevardBeaumarchais。
Thisgoodoldwomanwouldnotreceiveanyvisitsfromoutsidebecause，saidshe，theparloristoogloomy。
CHAPTERX
ORIGINOFTHEPERPETUALADORATION
However，thisalmostsepulchralparlor，ofwhichwehavesoughttoconveyanidea，isapurelylocaltraitwhichisnotreproducedwiththesameseverityinotherconvents。AttheconventoftheRueduTemple，inparticular，whichbelonged，intruth，toanotherorder，theblackshutterswerereplacedbybrowncurtains，andtheparloritselfwasasalonwithapolishedwoodfloor，whosewindowsweredrapedinwhitemuslincurtainsandwhosewallsadmittedallsortsofframes，aportraitofaBenedictinenunwithunveiledface，paintedbouquets，andeventheheadofaTurk。
ItisinthatgardenoftheTempleconvent，thatstoodthatfamouschestnut—treewhichwasrenownedasthefinestandthelargestinFrance，andwhichborethereputationamongthegoodpeopleoftheeighteenthcenturyofbeingthefatherofallthechestnuttreesoftherealm。
Aswehavesaid，thisconventoftheTemplewasoccupiedbyBenedictinesofthePerpetualAdoration，BenedictinesquitedifferentfromthosewhodependedonCiteaux。ThisorderofthePerpetualAdorationisnotveryancientanddoesnotgobackmorethantwohundredyears。
In1649theholysacramentwasprofanedontwooccasionsafewdaysapart，intwochurchesinParis，atSaint—SulpiceandatSaint—JeanenGreve，arareandfrightfulsacrilegewhichsetthewholetowninanuproar。M。thePriorandVicar—GeneralofSaint—GermaindesPresorderedasolemnprocessionofallhisclergy，inwhichthePope’sNuncioofficiated。Butthisexpiationdidnotsatisfytwosaintedwomen，MadameCourtin，MarquisedeBoucs，andtheComtessedeChateauvieux。Thisoutragecommittedon\"themostholysacramentofthealtar，\"thoughbuttemporary，wouldnotdepartfromtheseholysouls，anditseemedtothemthatitcouldonlybeextenuatedbya\"PerpetualAdoration\"insomefemalemonastery。
Bothofthem，onein1652，theotherin1653，madedonationsofnotablesumstoMotherCatherinedeBar，calledoftheHolySacrament，aBenedictinenun，forthepurposeoffounding，tothispiousend，amonasteryoftheorderofSaint—Benoit；thefirstpermissionforthisfoundationwasgiventoMotherCatherinedeBarbyM。deMetz，AbbeofSaint—Germain，\"onconditionthatnowomancouldbereceivedunlessshecontributedthreehundredlivresincome，whichamountstosixthousandlivres，totheprincipal。\"
AftertheAbbeofSaint—Germain，thekingaccordedletters—patent；
andalltherest，abbatialcharter，androyalletters，wasconfirmedin1654bytheChamberofAccountsandtheParliament。
SuchistheoriginofthelegalconsecrationoftheestablishmentoftheBenedictinesofthePerpetualAdorationoftheHolySacramentatParis。Theirfirstconventwas\"anewbuilding\"intheRueCassette，outofthecontributionsofMesdamesdeBoucsanddeChateauvieux。
Thisorder，asitwillbeseen，wasnottobeconfoundedwiththeBenedictinenunsofCiteaux。ItmountedbacktotheAbbeofSaint—GermaindesPres，inthesamemannerthattheladiesoftheSacredHeartgobacktothegeneraloftheJesuits，andthesistersofcharitytothegeneraloftheLazarists。
ItwasalsototallydifferentfromtheBernardinesofthePetit—Picpus，whoseinteriorwehavejustshown。In1657，PopeAlexanderVII。
hadauthorized，byaspecialbrief，theBernardinesoftheRuePetit—Picpus，topractisethePerpetualAdorationliketheBenedictinenunsoftheHolySacrament。Butthetwoordersremaineddistinctnonetheless。
CHAPTERXI
ENDOFTHEPETIT—PICPUS
AtthebeginningoftheRestoration，theconventofthePetit—Picpuswasinitsdecay；thisformsapartofthegeneraldeathoftheorder，which，aftertheeighteenthcentury，hasbeendisappearinglikeallthereligiousorders。Contemplationis，likeprayer，oneofhumanity’sneeds；but，likeeverythingwhichtheRevolutiontouched，itwillbetransformed，andfrombeinghostiletosocialprogress，itwillbecomefavorabletoit。
ThehouseofthePetit—Picpuswasbecomingrapidlydepopulated。
In1840，theLittleConventhaddisappeared，theschoolhaddisappeared。
Therewerenolongeranyoldwomen，noryounggirls；thefirstweredead，thelatterhadtakentheirdeparture。Volaverunt。
TheruleofthePerpetualAdorationissorigidinitsnaturethatitalarms，vocationsrecoilbeforeit，theorderreceivesnorecruits。In1845，itstillobtainedlay—sistershereandthere。
Butofprofessednuns，noneatall。Fortyyearsago，thenunsnumberednearlyahundred；fifteenyearsagotherewerenotmorethantwenty—eightofthem。Howmanyarethereto—day？In1847，theprioresswasyoung，asignthatthecircleofchoicewasrestricted。
Shewasnotfortyyearsold。Inproportionasthenumberdiminishes，thefatigueincreases，theserviceofeachbecomesmorepainful；
themomentcouldthenbeseendrawingnearwhentherewouldbebutadozenbentandachingshoulderstobeartheheavyruleofSaint—Benoit。Theburdenisimplacable，andremainsthesameforthefewasforthemany。Itweighsdown，itcrushes。Thustheydie。
AttheperiodwhentheauthorofthisbookstilllivedinParis，twodied。Onewastwenty—fiveyearsold，theothertwenty—three。
Thislattercansay，likeJuliaAlpinula:\"Hicjaceo。Vixiannosvigintiettres。\"Itisinconsequenceofthisdecaythattheconventgaveuptheeducationofgirls。
Wehavenotfeltabletopassbeforethisextraordinaryhousewithoutenteringit，andwithoutintroducingthemindswhichaccompanyus，andwhicharelisteningtoourtale，totheprofitofsome，perchance，ofthemelancholyhistoryofJeanValjean。
Wehavepenetratedintothiscommunity，fullofthoseoldpracticeswhichseemsonovelto—day。Itistheclosedgarden，hortusconclusus。
Wehavespokenofthissingularplaceindetail，butwithrespect，insofar，atleast，asdetailandrespectarecompatible。
Wedonotunderstandall，butweinsultnothing。WeareequallyfarremovedfromthehosannaofJosephdeMaistre，whowoundupbyanointingtheexecutioner，andfromthesneerofVoltaire，whoevengoessofarastoridiculethecross。
AnillogicalactonVoltaire’spart，wemayremark，bytheway；
forVoltairewouldhavedefendedJesusashedefendedCalas；
andevenforthosewhodenysuperhumanincarnations，whatdoesthecrucifixrepresent？Theassassinatedsage。
Inthisnineteenthcentury，thereligiousideaisundergoingacrisis。Peopleareunlearningcertainthings，andtheydowell，providedthat，whileunlearningthemtheylearnthis:Thereisnovacuuminthehumanheart。Certaindemolitionstakeplace，anditiswellthattheydo，butonconditionthattheyarefollowedbyreconstructions。
Inthemeantime，letusstudythingswhicharenomore。Itisnecessarytoknowthem，ifonlyforthepurposeofavoidingthem。Thecounterfeitsofthepastassumefalsenames，andgladlycallthemselvesthefuture。
Thisspectre，thispast，isgiventofalsifyingitsownpassport。
Letusinformourselvesofthetrap。Letusbeonourguard。
Thepasthasavisage，superstition，andamask，hypocrisy。Letusdenouncethevisageandletustearoffthemask。
Asforconvents，theypresentacomplexproblem，——aquestionofcivilization，whichcondemnsthem；aquestionofliberty，whichprotectsthem。
BOOKSEVENTH。——PARENTHESIS
CHAPTERI
THECONVENTASANABSTRACTIDEA
Thisbookisadrama，whoseleadingpersonageistheInfinite。
Manisthesecond。
Suchbeingthecase，andaconventhavinghappenedtobeonourroad，ithasbeenourdutytoenterit。Why？Becausetheconvent，whichiscommontotheOrientaswellastotheOccident，toantiquityaswellastomoderntimes，topaganism，toBuddhism，toMahometanism，aswellastoChristianity，isoneoftheopticalapparatusesappliedbymantotheInfinite。
Thisisnottheplaceforenlargingdisproportionatelyoncertainideas；nevertheless，whileabsolutelymaintainingourreserves，ourrestrictions，andevenourindignations，wemustsaythateverytimeweencountermanintheInfinite，eitherwellorillunderstood，wefeelourselvesoverpoweredwithrespect。
Thereis，inthesynagogue，inthemosque，inthepagoda，inthewigwam，ahideoussidewhichweexecrate，andasublimeside，whichweadore。Whatacontemplationforthemind，andwhatendlessfoodforthought，isthereverberationofGoduponthehumanwall！
CHAPTERII
THECONVENTASANHISTORICALFACT
Fromthepointofviewofhistory，ofreason，andoftruth，monasticismiscondemned。Monasteries，whentheyaboundinanation，areclogsinitscirculation，cumbrousestablishments，centresofidlenesswherecentresoflaborshouldexist。Monasticcommunitiesaretothegreatsocialcommunitywhatthemistletoeistotheoak，whatthewartistothehumanbody。Theirprosperityandtheirfatnessmeantheimpoverishmentofthecountry。Themonasticregime，goodatthebeginningofcivilization，usefulinthereductionofthebrutalbythespiritual，isbadwhenpeopleshavereachedtheirmanhood。Moreover，whenitbecomesrelaxed，andwhenitentersintoitsperiodofdisorder，itbecomesbadfortheveryreasonswhichrendereditsalutaryinitsperiodofpurity，becauseitstillcontinuestosettheexample。
Claustrationhashaditsday。Cloisters，usefulintheearlyeducationofmoderncivilization，haveembarrasseditsgrowth，andareinjurioustoitsdevelopment。Sofarasinstitutionandformationwithrelationtomanareconcerned，monasteries，whichweregoodinthetenthcentury，questionableinthefifteenth，aredetestableinthenineteenth。
Theleprosyofmonasticismhasgnawednearlytoaskeletontwowonderfulnations，ItalyandSpain；theonethelight，theotherthesplendorofEuropeforcenturies；and，atthepresentday，thesetwoillustriouspeoplesarebutjustbeginningtoconvalesce，thankstothehealthyandvigoroushygieneof1789alone。
Theconvent——theancientfemaleconventinparticular，suchasitstillpresentsitselfonthethresholdofthiscentury，inItaly，inAustria，inSpain——isoneofthemostsombreconcretionsoftheMiddleAges。
Thecloister，thatcloister，isthepointofintersectionofhorrors。
TheCatholiccloister，properlyspeaking，iswhollyfilledwiththeblackradianceofdeath。
TheSpanishconventisthemostfunerealofall。Thererise，inobscurity，beneathvaultsfilledwithgloom，beneathdomesvaguewithshadow，massivealtarsofBabel，ashighascathedrals；
thereimmensewhitecrucifixeshangfromchainsinthedark；
thereareextended，allnudeontheebony，greatChristsofivory；
morethanbleeding，——bloody；hideousandmagnificent，withtheirelbowsdisplayingthebones，theirknee—pansshowingtheirinteguments，theirwoundsshowingtheirflesh，crownedwithsilverthorns，nailedwithnailsofgold，withblooddropsofrubiesontheirbrows，anddiamondtearsintheireyes。Thediamondsandrubiesseemwet，andmakeveiledbeingsintheshadowbelowweep，theirsidesbruisedwiththehairshirtandtheiriron—tippedscourges，theirbreastscrushedwithwickerhurdles，theirkneesexcoriatedwithprayer；
womenwhothinkthemselveswives，spectreswhothinkthemselvesseraphim。
Dothesewomenthink？No。Havetheyanywill？No。Dotheylove？
No。Dotheylive？No。Theirnerveshaveturnedtobone；theirboneshaveturnedtostone。Theirveilisofwovennight。Theirbreathundertheirveilresemblestheindescribablytragicrespirationofdeath。Theabbess，aspectre，sanctifiesthemandterrifiesthem。
Theimmaculateoneisthere，andveryfierce。SucharetheancientmonasteriesofSpain。Liarsofterribledevotion，cavernsofvirgins，ferociousplaces。
CatholicSpainismoreRomanthanRomeherself。TheSpanishconventwas，aboveallothers，theCatholicconvent。TherewasaflavoroftheOrientaboutit。Thearchbishop，thekislar—agaofheaven，lockedupandkeptwatchoverthisseraglioofsoulsreservedforGod。Thenunwastheodalisque，thepriestwastheeunuch。
TheferventwerechosenindreamsandpossessedChrist。
Atnight，thebeautiful，nudeyoungmandescendedfromthecrossandbecametheecstasyofthecloisteredone。Loftywallsguardedthemysticsultana，whohadthecrucifiedforhersultan，fromalllivingdistraction。Aglanceontheouterworldwasinfidelity。
Theinpacereplacedtheleathersack。ThatwhichwascastintotheseaintheEastwasthrownintothegroundintheWest。
Inbothquarters，womenwrungtheirhands；thewavesforthefirst，thegraveforthelast；herethedrowned，theretheburied。
Monstrousparallel。
To—daytheupholdersofthepast，unabletodenythesethings，haveadoptedtheexpedientofsmilingatthem。Therehascomeintofashionastrangeandeasymannerofsuppressingtherevelationsofhistory，ofinvalidatingthecommentariesofphilosophy，ofelidingallembarrassingfactsandallgloomyquestions。Amatterfordeclamations，saytheclever。Declamations，repeatthefoolish。
Jean—Jacquesadeclaimer；Diderotadeclaimer；VoltaireonCalas，Labarre，andSirven，declaimers。IknownotwhohasrecentlydiscoveredthatTacituswasadeclaimer，thatNerowasavictim，andthatpityisdecidedlydueto\"thatpoorHolofernes。\"
Facts，however，areawkwardthingstodisconcert，andtheyareobstinate。
Theauthorofthisbookhasseen，withhisowneyes，eightleaguesdistantfromBrussels，——therearerelicsoftheMiddleAgestherewhichareattainableforeverybody，——attheAbbeyofVillers，theholeoftheoubliettes，inthemiddleofthefieldwhichwasformerlythecourtyardofthecloister，andonthebanksoftheThil，fourstonedungeons，halfunderground，halfunderthewater。
Theywereinpace。Eachofthesedungeonshastheremainsofanirondoor，avault，andagratedopeningwhich，ontheoutside，istwofeetabovetheleveloftheriver，andontheinside，sixfeetabovetheleveloftheground。Fourfeetofriverflowpastalongtheoutsidewall。Thegroundisalwayssoaked。
Theoccupantoftheinpacehadthiswetsoilforhisbed。
Inoneofthesedungeons，thereisafragmentofanironneckletrivetedtothewall；inanother，therecanbeseenasquareboxmadeoffourslabsofgranite，tooshortforapersontoliedownin，toolowforhimtostanduprightin。Ahumanbeingwasputinside，withacoverlidofstoneontop。Thisexists。Itcanbeseen。
Itcanbetouched。Theseinpace，thesedungeons，theseironhinges，thesenecklets，thatloftypeep—holeonalevelwiththeriver’scurrent，thatboxofstoneclosedwithalidofgranitelikeatomb，withthisdifference，thatthedeadmanherewasalivingbeing，thatsoilwhichisbutmud，thatvaulthole，thoseoozingwalls，——
whatdeclaimers！
CHAPTERIII
ONWHATCONDITIONSONECANRESPECTTHEPAST
Monasticism，suchasitexistedinSpain，andsuchasitstillexistsinThibet，isasortofphthisisforcivilization。Itstopslifeshort。Itsimplydepopulates。Claustration，castration。
IthasbeenthescourgeofEurope。Addtothistheviolencesooftendonetotheconscience，theforcedvocations，feudalismbolsteredupbythecloister，therightofthefirst—bornpouringtheexcessofthefamilyintomonasticism，theferocitiesofwhichwehavejustspoken，theinpace，theclosedmouths，thewalled—upbrains，somanyunfortunatemindsplacedinthedungeonofeternalvows，thetakingofthehabit，theintermentoflivingsouls。
Addindividualtorturestonationaldegradations，and，whoeveryoumaybe，youwillshudderbeforethefrockandtheveil，——thosetwowinding—sheetsofhumandevising。Nevertheless，atcertainpointsandincertainplaces，inspiteofphilosophy，inspiteofprogress，thespiritofthecloisterpersistsinthemidstofthenineteenthcentury，andasingularasceticrecrudescenceis，atthismoment，astonishingthecivilizedworld。Theobstinacyofantiquatedinstitutionsinperpetuatingthemselvesresemblesthestubbornnessoftherancidperfumewhichshouldclaimourhair，thepretensionsofthespoiledfishwhichshouldpersistinbeingeaten，thepersecutionofthechild’sgarmentwhichshouldinsistonclothingtheman，thetendernessofcorpseswhichshouldreturntoembracetheliving。
\"Ingrates！\"saysthegarment，\"Iprotectedyouininclementweather。
Whywillyouhavenothingtodowithme？\"\"Ihavejustcomefromthedeepsea，\"saysthefish。\"Ihavebeenarose，\"saystheperfume。
\"Ihavelovedyou，\"saysthecorpse。\"Ihavecivilizedyou，\"
saystheconvent。
Tothisthereisbutonereply:\"Informerdays。\"
Todreamoftheindefiniteprolongationofdefunctthings，andofthegovernmentofmenbyembalming，torestoredogmasinabadcondition，toregildshrines，topatchupcloisters，toreblessreliquaries，torefurnishsuperstitions，torevictualfanaticisms，toputnewhandlesonholywaterbrushesandmilitarism，toreconstitutemonasticismandmilitarism，tobelieveinthesalvationofsocietybythemultiplicationofparasites，toforcethepastonthepresent，——
thisseemsstrange。Still，therearetheoristswhoholdsuchtheories。
Thesetheorists，whoareinotherrespectspeopleofintelligence，haveaverysimpleprocess；theyapplytothepastaglazingwhichtheycallsocialorder，divineright，morality，family，therespectofelders，antiqueauthority，sacredtradition，legitimacy，religion；
andtheygoaboutshouting，\"Look！takethis，honestpeople。\"
Thislogicwasknowntotheancients。Thesoothsayerspractiseit。
Theyrubbedablackheiferoverwithchalk，andsaid，\"Sheiswhite，Boscretatus。\"
Asforus，werespectthepasthereandthere，andwespareit，aboveall，providedthatitconsentstobedead。Ifitinsistsonbeingalive，weattackit，andwetrytokillit。
Superstitions，bigotries，affecteddevotion，prejudices，thoseformsallformsastheyare，aretenaciousoflife；theyhaveteethandnailsintheirsmoke，andtheymustbeclaspedclose，bodytobody，andwarmustbemadeonthem，andthatwithouttruce；foritisoneofthefatalitiesofhumanitytobecondemnedtoeternalcombatwithphantoms。Itisdifficulttoseizedarknessbythethroat，andtohurlittotheearth。
AconventinFrance，inthebroaddaylightofthenineteenthcentury，isacollegeofowlsfacingthelight。Acloister，caughtintheveryactofasceticism，intheveryheartofthecityof’89andof1830andof1848，RomeblossomingoutinParis，isananachronism。
Inordinarytimes，inordertodissolveananachronismandtocauseittovanish，onehasonlytomakeitspelloutthedate。
Butwearenotinordinarytimes。
Letusfight。
Letusfight，butletusmakeadistinction。Thepeculiarpropertyoftruthisnevertocommitexcesses。Whatneedhasitofexaggeration？Thereisthatwhichitisnecessarytodestroy，andthereisthatwhichitissimplynecessarytoelucidateandexamine。Whataforceiskindlyandseriousexamination！
Letusnotapplyaflamewhereonlyalightisrequired。
So，giventhenineteenthcentury，weareopposed，asageneralproposition，andamongallpeoples，inAsiaaswellasinEurope，inIndiaaswellasinTurkey，toasceticclaustration。
Whoeversayscloister，saysmarsh。Theirputrescenceisevident，theirstagnationisunhealthy，theirfermentationinfectspeoplewithfever，andetiolatesthem；theirmultiplicationbecomesaplagueofEgypt。Wecannotthinkwithoutaffrightofthoselandswherefakirs，bonzes，santons，Greekmonks，marabouts，talapoins，anddervishesmultiplyevenlikeswarmsofvermin。
Thissaid，thereligiousquestionremains。Thisquestionhascertainmysterious，almostformidablesides；maywebepermittedtolookatitfixedly。
CHAPTERIV
THECONVENTFROMTHEPOINTOFVIEWOFPRINCIPLES
Menunitethemselvesanddwellincommunities。Byvirtueofwhatright？
Byvirtueoftherightofassociation。
Theyshutthemselvesupathome。Byvirtueofwhatright？
Byvirtueoftherightwhicheverymanhastoopenorshuthisdoor。
Theydonotcomeforth。Byvirtueofwhatright？Byvirtueoftherighttogoandcome，whichimpliestherighttoremainathome。
There，athome，whatdotheydo？
Theyspeakinlowtones；theydroptheireyes；theytoil。
Theyrenouncetheworld，towns，sensualities，pleasures，vanities，pride，interests。Theyareclothedincoarsewoollenorcoarselinen。
Notoneofthempossessesinhisownrightanythingwhatever。
Onenteringthere，eachonewhowasrichmakeshimselfpoor。
Whathehas，hegivestoall。Hewhowaswhatiscallednoble，agentlemanandalord，istheequalofhimwhowasapeasant。
Thecellisidenticalforall。Allundergothesametonsure，wearthesamefrock，eatthesameblackbread，sleeponthesamestraw，dieonthesameashes。Thesamesackontheirbacks，thesameropearoundtheirloins。Ifthedecisionhasbeentogobarefoot，allgobarefoot。Theremaybeaprinceamongthem；thatprinceisthesameshadowastherest。Notitles。Evenfamilynameshavedisappeared。Theybearonlyfirstnames。Allarebowedbeneaththeequalityofbaptismalnames。Theyhavedissolvedthecarnalfamily，andconstitutedintheircommunityaspiritualfamily。
Theyhavenootherrelativesthanallmen。Theysuccorthepoor，theycareforthesick。Theyelectthosewhomtheyobey。Theycalleachother\"mybrother。\"
Youstopmeandexclaim，\"Butthatistheidealconvent！\"
Itissufficientthatitmaybethepossibleconvent，thatI
shouldtakenoticeofit。
Thenceitresultsthat，intheprecedingbook，Ihavespokenofaconventwithrespectfulaccents。TheMiddleAgescastaside，Asiacastaside，thehistoricalandpoliticalquestionheldinreserve，fromthepurelyphilosophicalpointofview，outsidetherequirementsofmilitantpolicy，onconditionthatthemonasteryshallbeabsolutelyavoluntarymatterandshallcontainonlyconsentingparties，Ishallalwaysconsideracloisteredcommunitywithacertainattentive，and，insomerespects，adeferentialgravity。
Whereverthereisacommunity，thereisacommune；wherethereisacommune，thereisright。Themonasteryistheproductoftheformula:Equality，Fraternity。Oh！howgrandisliberty！
Andwhatasplendidtransfiguration！Libertysufficestotransformthemonasteryintoarepublic。
Letuscontinue。
Butthesemen，orthesewomenwhoarebehindthesefourwalls。
Theydressthemselvesincoarsewoollen，theyareequals，theycalleachotherbrothers，thatiswell；buttheydosomethingelse？
Yes。
What？
Theygazeonthedarkness，theykneel，andtheyclasptheirhands。
Whatdoesthissignify？
CHAPTERV
PRAYER
Theypray。
Towhom？
ToGod。
TopraytoGod，——whatisthemeaningofthesewords？
Isthereaninfinitebeyondus？Isthatinfinitethere，inherent，permanent；necessarilysubstantial，sinceitisinfinite；andbecause，ifitlackedmatteritwouldbebounded；necessarilyintelligent，sinceitisinfinite，andbecause，ifitlackedintelligence，itwouldendthere？Doesthisinfiniteawakeninustheideaofessence，whilewecanattributetoourselvesonlytheideaofexistence？
Inotherterms，isitnottheabsolute，ofwhichweareonlytherelative？
Atthesametimethatthereisaninfinitewithoutus，istherenotaninfinitewithinus？Arenotthesetwoinfinites（whatanalarmingplural！）superposed，theoneupontheother？Isnotthissecondinfinite，sotospeak，subjacenttothefirst？Isitnotthelatter’smirror，reflection，echo，anabysswhichisconcentricwithanotherabyss？Isthissecondinfinityintelligentalso？
Doesitthink？Doesitlove？Doesitwill？Ifthesetwoinfinitiesareintelligent，eachofthemhasawillprinciple，andthereisan_I_intheupperinfinityasthereisan_I_inthelowerinfinity。
The_I_belowisthesoul；the_I_onhighisGod。
Toplacetheinfinityherebelowincontact，bythemediumofthought，withtheinfinityonhigh，iscalledpraying。
Letustakenothingfromthehumanmind；tosuppressisbad。
Wemustreformandtransform。CertainfacultiesinmanaredirectedtowardstheUnknown；thought，revery，prayer。TheUnknownisanocean。Whatisconscience？ItisthecompassoftheUnknown。
Thought，revery，prayer，——thesearegreatandmysteriousradiations。
Letusrespectthem。Whithergothesemajesticirradiationsofthesoul？Intotheshadow；thatistosay，tothelight。
Thegrandeurofdemocracyistodisownnothingandtodenynothingofhumanity。Closetotherightoftheman，besideit，attheleast，thereexiststherightofthesoul。
Tocrushfanaticismandtoveneratetheinfinite，suchisthelaw。
Letusnotconfineourselvestoprostratingourselvesbeforethetreeofcreation，andtothecontemplationofitsbranchesfullofstars。
Wehaveadutytolaboroverthehumansoul，todefendthemysteryagainstthemiracle，toadoretheincomprehensibleandrejecttheabsurd，toadmit，asaninexplicablefact，onlywhatisnecessary，topurifybelief，toremovesuperstitionsfromabovereligion；
toclearGodofcaterpillars。
CHAPTERVI
THEABSOLUTEGOODNESSOFPRAYER
Withregardtothemodesofprayer，allaregood，providedthattheyaresincere。Turnyourbookupsidedownandbeintheinfinite。
Thereis，asweknow，aphilosophywhichdeniestheinfinite。
Thereisalsoaphilosophy，pathologicallyclassified，whichdeniesthesun；thisphilosophyiscalledblindness。
Toerectasensewhichwelackintoasourceoftruth，isafineblindman’sself—sufficiency。
Thecuriousthingisthehaughty，superior，andcompassionateairswhichthisgropingphilosophyassumestowardsthephilosophywhichbeholdsGod。Onefancieshehearsamolecrying，\"Ipitythemwiththeirsun！\"
Thereare，asweknow，powerfulandillustriousatheists。Atbottom，ledbacktothetruthbytheirveryforce，theyarenotabsolutelysurethattheyareatheists；itiswiththemonlyaquestionofdefinition，andinanycase，iftheydonotbelieveinGod，beinggreatminds，theyproveGod。
Wesalutethemasphilosophers，whileinexorablydenouncingtheirphilosophy。
Letusgoon。
Theremarkablethingaboutitis，also，theirfacilityinpayingthemselvesoffwithwords。AmetaphysicalschooloftheNorth，impregnatedtosomeextentwithfog，hasfanciedthatithasworkedarevolutioninhumanunderstandingbyreplacingthewordForcewiththewordWill。
Tosay:\"theplantwills，\"insteadof:\"theplantgrows\":
thiswouldbefecundinresults，indeed，ifweweretoadd:
\"theuniversewills。\"Why？Becauseitwouldcometothis:
theplantwills，thereforeithasan_I_；theuniversewills，thereforeithasaGod。
Asforus，who，however，incontradistinctiontothisschool，rejectnothingapriori，awillintheplant，acceptedbythisschool，appearstousmoredifficulttoadmitthanawillintheuniversedeniedbyit。
Todenythewilloftheinfinite，thatistosay，God，isimpossibleonanyotherconditionsthanadenialoftheinfinite。Wehavedemonstratedthis。
Thenegationoftheinfiniteleadsstraighttonihilism。
Everythingbecomes\"amentalconception。\"
Withnihilism，nodiscussionispossible；forthenihilistlogicdoubtstheexistenceofitsinterlocutor，andisnotquitesurethatitexistsitself。
Fromitspointofview，itispossiblethatitmaybeforitself，only\"amentalconception。\"
Only，itdoesnotperceivethatallwhichithasdenieditadmitsinthelump，simplybytheutteranceoftheword，mind。
Inshort，nowayisopentothethoughtbyaphilosophywhichmakesallendinthemonosyllable，No。
ToNothereisonlyonereply，Yes。
Nihilismhasnopoint。
Thereisnosuchthingasnothingness。Zerodoesnotexist。
Everythingissomething。Nothingisnothing。
Manlivesbyaffirmationevenmorethanbybread。
Eventoseeandtoshowdoesnotsuffice。Philosophyshouldbeanenergy；
itshouldhaveforeffortandeffecttoamelioratetheconditionofman。SocratesshouldenterintoAdamandproduceMarcusAurelius；
inotherwords，themanofwisdomshouldbemadetoemergefromthemanoffelicity。EdenshouldbechangedintoaLyceum。
Scienceshouldbeacordial。Toenjoy，——whatasadaim，andwhatapaltryambition！Thebruteenjoys。Toofferthoughttothethirstofmen，togivethemallasanelixirthenotionofGod，tomakeconscienceandsciencefraternizeinthem，torenderthemjustbythismysteriousconfrontation；suchisthefunctionofrealphilosophy。
Moralityisablossomingoutoftruths。Contemplationleadstoaction。
Theabsoluteshouldbepracticable。Itisnecessarythattheidealshouldbebreathable，drinkable，andeatabletothehumanmind。
Itistheidealwhichhastherighttosay:Take，thisismybody，thisismyblood。Wisdomisaholycommunion。
Itisonthisconditionthatitceasestobeasterileloveofscienceandbecomestheoneandsovereignmodeofhumanrallying，andthatphilosophyherselfispromotedtoreligion。
Philosophyshouldnotbeacorbelerectedonmysterytogazeuponitatitsease，withoutanyotherresultthanthatofbeingconvenienttocuriosity。
Forourpart，adjourningthedevelopmentofourthoughttoanotheroccasion，wewillconfineourselvestosayingthatweneitherunderstandmanasapointofdeparturenorprogressasanend，withoutthosetwoforceswhicharetheirtwomotors:faithandlove。
Progressisthegoal，theidealisthetype。
Whatisthisideal？ItisGod。
Ideal，absolute，perfection，infinity:identicalwords。
CHAPTERVII
PRECAUTIONSTOBEOBSERVEDINBLAME
Historyandphilosophyhaveeternalduties，whichare，atthesametime，simpleduties；tocombatCaiphastheHigh—priest，DracotheLawgiver，TrimalciontheLegislator，TiberiustheEmperor；
thisisclear，direct，andlimpid，andoffersnoobscurity。
Buttherighttoliveapart，evenwithitsinconveniencesanditsabuses，insistsonbeingstatedandtakenintoaccount。
Cenobitismisahumanproblem。
Whenonespeaksofconvents，thoseabodesoferror，butofinnocence，ofaberrationbutofgood—will，ofignorancebutofdevotion，oftorturebutofmartyrdom，italwaysbecomesnecessarytosayeitheryesorno。
Aconventisacontradiction。Itsobject，salvation；itsmeansthereto，sacrifice。
Theconventissupremeegoismhavingforitsresultsupremeabnegation。
Toabdicatewiththeobjectofreigningseemstobethedeviceofmonasticism。
Inthecloister，onesuffersinordertoenjoy。Onedrawsabillofexchangeondeath。Onediscountsinterrestrialgloomcelestiallight。
Inthecloister，hellisacceptedinadvanceasapostobitonparadise。
Thetakingoftheveilorthefrockisasuicidepaidforwitheternity。
Itdoesnotseemtous，thatonsuchasubjectmockeryispermissible。
Allaboutitisserious，thegoodaswellasthebad。
Thejustmanfrowns，butneversmileswithamalicioussneer。
Weunderstandwrath，butnotmalice。
CHAPTERVIII
FAITH，LAW
Afewwordsmore。
Weblamethechurchwhensheissaturatedwithintrigues，wedespisethespiritualwhichisharshtowardthetemporal；
butweeverywherehonorthethoughtfulman。
Wesalutethemanwhokneels。
Afaith；thisisanecessityforman。Woetohimwhobelievesnothing。
Oneisnotunoccupiedbecauseoneisabsorbed。Thereisvisiblelaborandinvisiblelabor。
Tocontemplateistolabor，tothinkistoact。
Foldedarmstoil，claspedhandswork。Agazefixedonheavenisawork。
Thalesremainedmotionlessforfouryears。Hefoundedphilosophy。
Inouropinion，cenobitesarenotlazymen，andreclusesarenotidlers。
TomeditateontheShadowisaseriousthing。
Withoutinvalidatinganythingthatwehavejustsaid，webelievethataperpetualmemoryofthetombisproperfortheliving。
Onthispoint，thepriestandthephilosopheragree。Wemustdie。
TheAbbedelaTrapperepliestoHorace。
Tominglewithone’slifeacertainpresenceofthesepulchre，——
thisisthelawofthesage；anditisthelawoftheascetic。
Inthisrespect，theasceticandthesageconverge。Thereisamaterialgrowth；weadmitit。Thereisamoralgrandeur；weholdtothat。Thoughtlessandvivaciousspiritssay:——
\"Whatisthegoodofthosemotionlessfiguresonthesideofmystery？
Whatpurposedotheyserve？Whatdotheydo？\"
Alas！Inthepresenceofthedarknesswhichenvironsus，andwhichawaitsus，inourignoranceofwhattheimmensedispersionwillmakeofus，wereply:\"Thereisprobablynoworkmoredivinethanthatperformedbythesesouls。\"Andweadd:
\"Thereisprobablynoworkwhichismoreuseful。\"
Therecertainlymustbesomewhoprayconstantlyforthosewhoneverprayatall。
Inouropinionthewholequestionliesintheamountofthoughtthatismingledwithprayer。
Leibnitzprayingisgrand，Voltaireadoringisfine。DeoerexitVoltaire。
Weareforreligionasagainstreligions。
Weareofthenumberwhobelieveinthewretchednessoforisons，andthesublimityofprayer。
Moreover，atthisminutewhichwearenowtraversing，——aminutewhichwillnot，fortunately，leaveitsimpressonthenineteenthcentury，——
atthishour，whensomanymenhavelowbrowsandsoulsbutlittleelevated，amongsomanymortalswhosemoralityconsistsinenjoyment，andwhoarebusiedwiththebriefandmisshapenthingsofmatter，whoeverexileshimselfseemsworthyofvenerationtous。
Themonasteryisarenunciation。Sacrificewronglydirectedisstillsacrifice。Tomistakeagraveerrorforadutyhasagrandeurofitsown。
Takenbyitself，andideally，andinordertoexaminethetruthonallsidesuntilallaspectshavebeenimpartiallyexhausted，themonastery，thefemaleconventinparticular，——forinourcenturyitiswomanwhosuffersthemost，andinthisexileofthecloisterthereissomethingofprotestation，——thefemaleconventhasincontestablyacertainmajesty。
Thiscloisteredexistencewhichissoaustere，sodepressing，afewofwhosefeatureswehavejusttraced，isnotlife，foritisnotliberty；itisnotthetomb，foritisnotplenitude；
itisthestrangeplacewhenceonebeholds，asfromthecrestofaloftymountain，ononesidetheabysswhereweare，ontheother，theabysswhitherweshallgo；itisthenarrowandmistyfrontierseparatingtwoworlds，illuminatedandobscuredbybothatthesametime，wheretherayoflifewhichhasbecomeenfeebledismingledwiththevaguerayofdeath；itisthehalfobscurityofthetomb。
We，whodonotbelievewhatthesewomenbelieve，butwho，likethem，livebyfaith，——wehaveneverbeenabletothinkwithoutasortoftenderandreligiousterror，withoutasortofpity，thatisfullofenvy，ofthosedevoted，tremblingandtrustingcreatures，ofthesehumbleandaugustsouls，whodaretodwellontheverybrinkofthemystery，waitingbetweentheworldwhichisclosedandheavenwhichisnotyetopen，turnedtowardsthelightwhichonecannotsee，possessingthesolehappinessofthinkingthattheyknowwhereitis，aspiringtowardsthegulf，andtheunknown，theireyesfixedmotionlessonthedarkness，kneeling，bewildered，stupefied，shuddering，halflifted，attimes，bythedeepbreathsofeternity。
BOOKEIGHTH。——CEMETERIESTAKETHATWHICHISCOMMITTEDTHEM