CHAPTER XX.

The great Monastery of Meteora--The Church--Ugliness of the Portraits of Greek Saints--Greek Mode of Washing the Hands--A Monastic Supper--Morning View from the Monastery--The Library--Beautiful MSS.--Their Purchase--The Kitchen--Discussion among the Monks as to the Purchase Money for the MSS.--The MSS. reclaimed--A last look at their Beauties--Proposed Assault of the Monastery by the Robber Escort 298