Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 146.djvu/398

aged, hoary-headed and white-bearded priest, who looks older than he is on account of the scorching sun of Madura, where he was a missionary. He generally has plenty of tales to relate concerning the Hindoos; revolts of the native Christians against their missionaries when the latter are too high-handed; arrival of an excommunicated priest from Goa to take his place; state of drunkenness in which the latter is found shortly after; disgust and repentance of the natives, and subsequent recall of the missionary. Also his poor opinion of the English Church in those parts, and his high appreciation of the impartiality of the British Government. But to-night he comes on a very different errand. As Minister of the Residence, he is in want of money. Things are going on very badly indeed; expenses are high and few alms are given, because the Jesuits have the reputation of being rich. “It is our churches,” says he. “When people see the churches adorned as they are, they cannot believe that we are sometimes at a loss to know what we shall have to eat tomorrow.” And it is true: for the rule is, that the Residences and Novitiates must subsist on alms. The colleges, which have fixed revenues, come to their help now and then; but there is no denying that sometimes there is a hard pull. Nevertheless, Ignatius is for adorning the churches no matter what impression is produced, and Ignatius must be obeyed. Having arranged with the novices for a Novena to St Joseph, the Father goes away; to return a few days afterwards, triumpbantly showing four bank-notes of a hundred francs.

Frère Admoniteur smites his hands together; it is the signal to begin rehearsing the points of next day’s Meditation, during the fifteen minutes which remain. The rehearsal does not, of course, exclude any private remarks or developments that a novice may have to give; and so the conversation goes on, until the bell rings,

Then commences the great silence—silentium majus—to be observed until after breakfast next day. Novices must not speak at any time without some degree of necessity; but during the silentium majus they must not speak unless the necessity be absolute and immediate. All go to the private chapel, together with the Residence Fathers, and evening prayer, viz., the Litany of the Saints, is said. They then retire to their cells and examine their consciences, as before noon.

At nine the bell rings for bed-time. Frère Réglementaire is probably very glad to be able to put by his instrument for seven whole hours—if he does not dream of it at night. The curtains are pulled down, and divide the room into as many compartments as there are beds. Even to take off their coat or soutane, they must withdraw behind the curtains. Lights are extinguished, one after another; you soon hear a rushing, whistling, beating sound: it is the discipline, only permitted to some by special favour, for it is not Friday to-day.

All is silent again; and the novices, by order of Holy Obedience, go to sleep thinking of the next day's Meditation, with their hands crossed over their breast.

And now as we retire, let me in conclusion remind you, reader, of the title which this paper bears. It is but a glimpse into the Novitiate, and the very best eyes can see but little at one glimpse.