Manufacture of Bread and Wax Candles carried on in the Convent--
Superstitions--Scapularies--Virgin Mary's pincushion--Her House--The
Bishop's power over fire--My Instructions to Novices--Jane Ray--
Vacillation of feelings.


Large quantities of bread are made in the Black Nunnery every week, for
besides what is necessary to feed the nuns, many of the poor are
supplied. When a priest wishes to give a loaf of bread to a poor person,
he gives him an order, which is presented at the Convent. The making of
bread is therefore one of the most laborious employments in the
Institution.

The manufacture of wax candles was another important branch of business
in the nunnery. It was carried on in a small room, on the first floor,
thence called the Ciergerie, or wax-room; _cierge_ being the French
word for a _wax candle_. I was sometimes sent to read the daily
lecture and catechism to the nuns employed there, but found it a very
unpleasant task, as the smell rising from the melted wax gave me a
sickness at the stomach. The employment was considered rather unhealthy,
and those were assigned to it who had the strongest constitutions. The
nuns who were more commonly employed in that room, were Sainte Marie,
Sainte Catharine, Sainte Charlotte, Sainte Francis, Sainte Hyacinthe,
Sainte Hypolite, and others. But with these, as with other persons in
the Convent, I was never allowed to speak, except under circumstances
before mentioned. I was sent to read, and was not allowed even to answer
the most trivial question, if one were asked me. Should a nun say, "what
o'clock is it?" I never should have dared to reply, but was required to
report her to the Superior.