Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

CLASSICAL TOUR

Ch, X.

curve of steep mountains covered to the summit
with one continued forest. Here we beheld the
antique towers, and pinnacles of the abbey ris-
ing· full before us; and on a nearer approach
we heard the swell of the organ, and the voices
of the choir, and instantly alighting’ under the
archway of the gate we hastened to the church.
The monks were then singing the Qui habitat
(ninety-first psalm) which is part of the evening
service. The melody was sweet and solemn ; a
long pause between each verse gave it time to pro-
duce its full effect; and the gloom of the church,
the lights on the altar, the chant of the choir,
and the tones of the organ could not fail to
awaken in the mind, already prepared by the
scenery, and circumstances of place and time,
a strong emotion of piety, awe, and melancholy.
When service was ended the monks retired in
silence, like so many ghosts gliding along the
nave, and disappearing in the aisles ; we with-
drew with regret. We were then conducted by
the father appointed to receive strangers to the
usual apartments allotted to visitants, and were
treated with unaffected hospitality. These
apartments are fitted up in a style of cleanli-
ness and simplicity admirably adapted to the
spirit of the place and of the order. The walls
are merely white-washed, without either paper,
wainscot, or tapestry. Their only decorations