The Wilmingtonian., 1823-12-18

'
ton of the sentence, which was solemnly an
nounced the evening before, and at last between
IL ard IL, appeared at the gate Of the prison, the
principal subject Of this odious spectacle. The
first sight OF Cornelia's beauty moved in the small
square confused whispering like the noise oi
wind sounding at dh,ance, and which increases
gradually as it approaches. But soon the noise
was succeeded by attention, profound silence
was observed among the spectators, undoubtedly
on thinking that a young female, beautiful and
wealthy, was going to be food for the flames. II
seems as ifProvidence wished at this time to be.
SOW upon Cornelia celestial form. The pale
ness of beautiful face, her golden locks hanging
over her shoulders, her eyes extremely heavy
yet lively and sparkling, her white and delicate
complexion, her rosy lips, her half naked bosom
which surpassed the alsbaster in whiteness, the
serenity of her soul displayed to the life in hel
countenance, all concurred to fix the attention OF
the people naturally humane and compassionate
But the hoarse and mournful voice OF the exc
cutioner, who proclaimed the enormous crimes
of the impious Cornela Boroquia, extngu'shed
Immediately the first impression and substituted
another very different. Stubbornly .persisting in
atheism was the principal crime which the sen
tence declared. At this relation, the irrtated
multitude cries, shouts, breathes vengeance. As
q fiery steed when he hears the trumpet OF war
or sees the arms of the enemy gsten, kicks Sc
verely and enragedly the earth, and blindy de.
sires the combat. Finally the poor youth was
brought in panner from the prison to the Pub
lie Square, surrounded by Monks and Priests a.
midst the shouts and appauses of a sanguinary
and ungovernable populace. who shouted and ex-
claimed with the greatest enthusiasm and rejoi-
cling "Long live the Holy Faith of God-Down
with Heretcs and Jews" In the Public Square
there was a magnificent scatiold, on which
WAS seated with the greatest pomp and majesty,
the horrible monster of the inqnisition. The in
nocent victim was prosecuted before these cruel
tygers, who, after thousand long and ridiculous
ceremonies, put TO her variety of questions; to
which Cornelia gave respectful answers, without
affecting tranquility which might be construed
for pride, and without showing detection OF
spirits, which belongs to the criminal only. Bht
her inAexible judges read her sentence, and with
apparent tenderness, surrendered her to the civil
authority.
Taking charge of her they led her immediate.
ly to an elevated scafiold, supplied beneath with
combustible materials. The patient girl ap-
preached and passed between the nfurlated multi
tude with her accustomed aspect, but at the sight
of the dreadful scattold shrouded in black, the
trembling youth fainting, fell into the arms of her
lovely companion and friend, who pale and over
come, could scarcely support her, but rega!nlng
all her strength, she was encouraged in spite OF
herself to place her foot on the fatal stair. Cor
nelia followed, leaning upon her assistant with a
trembling pace, her eyes swollen from their orbits
her hair dishevelled, her face extremely dishgur-
ell, uttering inarticulate groans, and thousand
sounds which partook not in the least OF human
accent: her hands, feet and whole body were agi-
tated with a horrible tremor. Having arrived at
the scaifold, the confused murmur OF a furious
AID sanguinary crowd, who were anxlously wait
ilg for the death of Cornelia, was heard shouting
the words wicked and Atheist
The sorrowful girl heard it; she raised her
eyes towards heaven, and exclaimed doleiuily,
"no, you cannot wish to deprive me of tins com
iort.' "Yes, | see that Col is going to Judge
me he is beside me he knows my innocence
he hears me, and will receive into his hands my
afflicted soul. Behold him there, behold hin
who comes TO succour me. God OF Goodness
into thy hands, Lord, ! commit my soul. Sup
port me, protect me-" But all who stood arount
were deaf to her moving speech, she friend
placed herself upon gloomy seat, prepared TO
her, with admirable patience and instructive mo
desty. She looked around tenderly, generousl
pardoned the executioner, and began, with
voice exceedingly loud to invoke the protection
of heaven. In the mean time the exccutioner wa
approaching to place fire to the scsfiold >
Stop, stop, suppress, suppress for an instant thi
dreadful rage, suspend for moment the flames
and let the blind people know the Innocence o
Cornela and the arocity of her perfdious perse
cutors, that perchance, the fugitive fanatlcisn
may vanish in the same manner il originated -
vain wishes! vain lamentations The rage in hi
breast sees nothing, hears nothing Already tn
smoke begins to curl through the air; alread
the yora:ious flames increase and cast their ligh
on those that surround the scailod Already tn
innocent victim, But after long stat
of torture, anguish and suffering, the spirit Of Coz
nelia at last winged its flight to the bosom OF etel
nifty.
The sacrifice being ended, Dominican tria
began to preach from moveable pulpit; castin
thousand insulting reflections on the crimes {
the disbelieving Cornelia confirming them a
by Holy Scripture: The people heard him wit
interest. fle looked with vengeance on the ash e
of the deceased, and appeared we'll satisfied wit
the severity of her judges. Oh religion religion
How much good have you afforded to man. Bu
how much evil is comprehended under yon
name. In your bosom the afflicted mortal find
an Asylum from vice, consolation in advers'y
support in the greatest Affections but also b,
meath your veil is concealed wiCkedness: in yo,
name rivers of blood flow, and the most emo
nous crimes are authorized; with your sword Il
powerful! Judgment of tyrants is defended; wit
your weapons war is kindled, discord fomene'
revenge satisfied, and you serve as sacred pr
text 10 justify the most dreadful and revenset
passions. When will these wicked inqulsto
cease to abuse the patience and credulity of Il
people when will the day come that the rule
will be free from the wickedness OF these mo-
sters, and attentive to their interests and those
the people. They are the scandal of the hum;
race, the dishonour of reason and Justice. In $
perstitious countries, priests are absolute sov