The Principal, whose name is ALTMANN, was attired in a sort of half-dignity dress; a gold chain and cross hung upon his breast, and a black silk cap covered his head.  A gown, and what seemed to be a cassock, covered his body.  He had the complete air of a gentleman, and might have turned his fiftieth year.  His countenance bespoke equal intelligence and benevolence:—­but alas! not a word of French could he speak—­and Latin was therefore necessarily resorted to by both parties.  I entreated him to forgive all defects of composition and of pronunciation; at which he smiled graciously.  The Vice Principal then bowed to the Abbot and retreated; but not before I had observed them to whisper apart—­and to make gesticulations which I augured to portend something in the shape of providing refreshment, if not dinner.  My suspicion was quickly confirmed; for, on the Vice Principal quitting the apartment, the Abbot observed to me—­“you will necessarily partake of our dinner—­which is usually at one o’clock; but which I have postponed till three, in order that I may conduct you over the monastery, and shew you what is worthy of observation.  You have made a long journey hither, and must not be disappointed.”

The manner in which this was spoken was as courteous as the purport of the speech was hospitable.  “Be pleased to be covered (continued the Abbot) and I will conduct you forthwith to the Library:  although I regret to add that our Librarian Odilo is just now from home—­having gone, for the day, upon a botanical excursion towards Chrems—­as it is now holiday time.”  In our way to the library, I asked the Principal respecting the revenues of the establishment and its present condition—­whether it were flourishing or otherwise—­adding, that Chremsminster appeared to me to be in a very flourishing state.”  “They are much wealthier (observed the Principal) at Chremsminster than we are here.  Establishments like this, situated near a metropolis, are generally more severely visited than are those in a retired and remote part of the kingdom.  Our very situation is inviting to a foe, from its commanding the adjacent country.  Look at the prospect around you.  It is unbounded.  On yon opposite wooded heights, (on the other side of the Danube) we all saw, from these very windows, the fire and smoke of the advanced guard of the French army, in contest with the Austrians, upon Bonaparte’s first advance towards Vienna.  The French Emperor himself took possession of this monastery.  He slept here, and we entertained him the next day with the best dejeune a la fourchette which we could afford.  He seemed well satisfied with his reception; but I own that I was glad when he left us.  Strangers to arms in this tranquil retreat, and visited only, as you may now visit us, for the purpose of peaceful hospitality, it agitated us extremely to come in contact with warriors and chieftains.