Page:Twelve Years in a Monastery (1897).djvu/270

 Saturnalia. Nevertheless it must be said that, whilst there is much more drink than is supposed, there is not much drunkenness. Usually, as long as the convent is in good circumstances, there is a constant and liberal supply of drink, but excess is rare; though its isolated occurrence, when it has not become public, is not treated seriously.

And a third effect of this pious exclusion of females is seen in the tone of their conversation; it is too frequently of an unpleasant character—not immoral, rarely suggestive, but very often coarse and malodorous. Tales which the better class of Catholic laymen would not suffer to be told in their presence, which could not be whispered in the presence of ladies, and which are only found in such literature as 'La Terre' and 'L'Assommoir,' are very frequently told in clerical circles—especially monastic.

With regard to the important point of immorality, specifically so called, a direct answer must here be given, as far as the author feels justified in giving one. My experience has been wide, but not of long duration, so that I could not deny an opposite and more damaging statement of experience. Still I am convinced that there has been much exaggeration in this respect. The evidence of the majority of 'escaped' nuns and monks seems unreliable; there is only one—the nun of Kenmare, Miss Cusack—whom I should feel inclined to follow. I knew several priests who were well acquainted (indirectly) with her, and they