Pius IX interested himself directly in it, called into it a body of Cistercian monks, and it became the chief seat of their order in France.

To restore its sacredness the strict system of La Trappe was established--labour, silence, meditation on death.

The word thus given from Rome was seconded in France by cardinals, archbishops, and all churchmen especially anxious for promotion in this world or salvation in the next.

Worn-out dukes and duchesses of the Faubourg Saint-Germain united in this enterprise of pious reaction with the frivolous youngsters, the petits creves, who haunt the purlieus of Notre Dame de Lorette.

The great church of the monastery was handsomely rebuilt and a multitude of altars erected; and beautiful frescoes and stained windows came from the leaders of the reaction.