The Benedictines having definitely decid-_ ed not to comply with the new law affecting religious congregations, all the inmates of the convent at Solesmes will vacate it carly in September, and the magnificent abbey will be left desolate, Some of the greatest names in Europe are hidden amongst the anonymous monks and nuns at Solesmes. Two of the oldest inmates are the Grand Duchess of Holstein and the Dowager Duchess of Braganza, the mother of two Austrian archduchesses and aunt of the King of Portugal. Prior Olivieri was a distinguished naval officer and aide-decamp to Admiral Courbet of China fame. The Solesmes community will go to Faraborough, where the Empress Eugenie has offered them a temporary resting-place. Here they will be joined by the other French congregations of the Order, and, before October 2nd, when the period allowed for compliance with the new law. will have expired, there will not be a. single Benedictine left in France. The Order cannot reconcile itself to the disclosure of its private affairs. The Benedictine recluses, having voluntarily given up their identi: ty, refuse to have it thrust upon them. The exodus will be a curious sight. It will resemble nothing so much as the grave giving up its dead.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.