Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-09


just and equitable rights, both would be
benefited. =
il was in vain that Lucerne protested
and reasoned. His insinuations, which
were only darkfy himed withregard 10
the nun, filled his parents with horror.
The contract they considered one OF
honor, any violation Of which would
bring disgrace upon their family; and
the only boon that the son could obtaip,
was the delay Of another year. He
left this second negotiation to his pa
rents, almost hoping that the palpable
indifference il discovered might annul
the treaty. But in ambitious projects
there are only few prominent points.
These were still fair to the eye, and the
parents, satisfied on boiIr Sides that
wealth, title and lands, would be united,
considered the parties merely us appur-
tenunces. Theresa had been educated
with the same views, and neither rea-
soned nor thought on the subject. As
to the postpmemcnt OF the marriage, it
was TO her, a matter Of indifference.
80 In'the mean time Louise entered on
her novciate at the convent. This con-
vent was one of the, strictest erder; but
tho young novice exceeded all others
in zeal. Even the pious and exompla-
ry lady Abbess viewed with ustonish-
men! her disregard Of sleep and food,
and her voluntary penahccs. Every
excitement was presented to her mind
by the enthusiastic fanatics. She was
compared to Saint Caiharine, who was
broken. .on a wheel, and to a host OF
other saints who died less cnviable
deaths. 1t is not surprising, amidst this
horrible excitement with her heart strIg-
Cling with worldly recollections, and
her frame wasted by penances. that her
reason shonld have tottercd on its'throne.
She began to have strange and wild inn
aginations; sometimes called herself
the mother of God, the adorable Marie;
sometimes. spoke Of herself as Jesus
Christ, and destined to be bodily cru
Gifted second time. The nuns listen
cd to the wanderings Of her disordered
mind as to bcatifc visions Such ex-
,raordinary. sauctity could not be con-
ccalcd, even within the walls Of con-
vent. The sisters talked of her at the
CRATE when their friends came to see
her, andi it was not long before she was
announced as a conrulsionnaire.
The devotees who professed to be
conruisionnatres were even at this peri
cd rare; for it required ronitudo in the
endurance Of suliring almost beyond hu-
man nature. Instances are recorded of
feeble and delicate women, who were
actually nailed to- the cross in imitation
of Jesus Christ, and remained in that
situation three hours and half, endur-
ing every species Of torture. Others
had their clothes burnt on them, and
the fire only extingdished when life was
in imminent danger. sa44.~a-. s.....
IT was in. :he beautiful province Of
Languedoc, where Lucerne was pas;
sing aefcw wceks, that he took up u
journal containing an account of the
extraordinary piety ofthe young novice
Louise de Seligny, and second daueh-
ter Of the noble house Of Montsefrat,
who was to exhibit as conuulsionnaire
before few distinguished friends, on
the 18th day Of the ensuing month,
about the time Of the holy incarnation.
1t was with emotion amounting to hor-
ror, that he read this paragraph. The
year Of procrastination had nearly ex-
pired, and he did not hesitate moment
10 return 10 Paris. He determined to
make one effort to rouse the sensibiily
Of Theresa towards her sister, and to
persuade her to reject the sacrafice
her parents exacted. 1t was now that
he found, under a ihoughtless and dissi-
pated exterior, a feeling heart. The
young lady entered warmly into his
project, which was to persuade her sis
ter solemnly to protest against taking
the vows, even at the altar, necessary,
and to relinquish to her part of her
splendid fortune. The plan was to be
kept secret from the parents, that no
measures might be taken to defeat it,
The most difficult part to accomplish,
however, was to persuade Louise her.
self to renolnce a monastic life. This
Lucerne had not foreseen; for he knew
not that, since his departure, her for.
mer impressions had returned with ten.
fold strength. He spent hours at the
crate endeavouring to shake her reso-
luton; but all he could obtain was the
promise that she would not exhibi, as "a
conruisionnaire, though ho could not
doubt that herself inflicted torments
were already unsettling her mind, and
destroying her health.
Theresa with generous feelings, de-
voted a portion of that time to her sis
ter, which had been hitherto wasted
upon dress and fashion. 1t needs but
o,,a ,,r,,o hond of upion IN eopu,c,