Page:Notes ecclesiological and picturesque.djvu/26

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AUSTRIA.
9

behind the altar, is a very offensive picture of the Father. Over the second door, Deum Filium Redemptorum Mundi, venite adoremus; and opposite, our Lord's Ascent from the Cross. Over the third, Deum Sanctum Spiritum, venite adoremus; and opposite, the Nativity; I suppose, as brought to pass by the operation of the Holy Ghost.

"From Baura we walked back to the monastery at Lambach: it consists of two or three quadrangles, with lines of whitewashed square-headed windows, some two hundred years old. But the foundation is of the eleventh century; and there it is in life. We were shown into the church by a servant; there is nothing whatever in it. I ask for the library; it is not to be seen. I send in my recommendation; out comes the Librarian, one of the Fathers, a very pleasing man, rather tall and stout, about fifty. He took us over it; it has 14,000 volumes; manuscripts of great value, and an almost priceless collection of ecclesiastical Incunabula. What are Incunabula? you ask. It is the name that Germans give to books printed before 1500. I found some pretty little manuscript breviaries: but manuscript missals there were none. At last I got two early printed ones, Augsburg and Frisingen; and finding some sequences not yet reprinted, asked if I might have them to copy at the inn. This could not be done unless application was made to the 'Prelate.' They had just finished supper: it was nearly seven: we were shown into the little refectory. The Abbat was a very striking man, I imagine about forty, by far the most intellectual looking of the whole set; only to be distinguishe from the rest by a gold pectoral cross.