The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-06
MARIA MONK, THE NUN.

able transactions in a Nunnery at Montreal have
ated deep and extraordinary excitement in this city.
Howe & Bates, the publishers, said to exhaust
large edition every three days. The constant
Of people calling for the book, not more extra
ordinary than the intense inquiry respecting its truth
its possibity-its statements-and its descriptions of
nunnery life in Montreal. The daily questions put D
every circle are-have you read Maria Monk Do you
believe her story Cansueh wickedness be true How
can it be possible The very doubt and uncertainty
that hang the trath Of its disclosures tend deep
en- the feeling-widea the sensatioa-and expand the
public astonishment in every direction.
Another feature in this curious affair." that tends still fur
Their to increase public interest is-he old feeling
brings up between the Catholic and Protestant section
of Christianity. Phe Catholic calls Maria Monk
baggage-ateer of falsehoods-a calumniator-a false
witness-a dirty little vixen &c. The Protestant says
she tells a true story-she is injured girl-she is
pretty and interesting-her character is unmpeached
save fine humping boy, begotten, not born, in the
convent.
In this critical state ofthe question, course is obyi-
Cold the weather is, put ourself high and
dry the fence-takng neither side the other
looking neither the right left except far the
fascinating little squirt left eye may lean towards
pretty face. Having been in religion educated strict
Catholic, by venerable Catholic Priest whose excel
lent moral lessons shall forget-having in
politics been long pupil of Vice President Van Buren,
it would be shame and disgrace masters, to take
any side of this knoy controversy, till we had ascer-
tanned which has the majority At present. therefore,
merely state few curious and important facts,
nected with the history of Maria Monk, and tending
throw some light on the credibty Of her story and the
truth of her statements Now to work.
On Wednesday last, we learn that Miss Monk was
invited into the company of large party of ladies and
gentlemen, of the highest character and responsibility
in this city, Several reverend gentlemen present.
and several reverend ladies also. Their purpose
to examine, for the mselves, Miss Monk in person-to
question the pretty nuR-to inquire into the merits
Of her curious case-O If the re flaw in her
staements-to ascertain whether she light not contra.
dict her wonderful disclosures. Looking the shout
der of good lady, in line between her Bird of Pa
radise and her shawl Maria appeared to be of very
delicate stature her age does not exceed twenty
which, to bachelor like us, is important element in
making up algebraic equation the truth of her
statements. Her eye was dark, with 6ne lamben,
light shining from under the syelashes like the first
morn over the clad hill" Her complexion is
fair and delcare-the soft and silky, far beyond
the beautiful fancy articles of Bailey Keller s. Rem
SEM rs Broad-street. Her hair is fine dark brown,
hanging in long, loose neglected resses down her fine
ly chsseed aabaser neck that doubt attracted the
attention of those excellent judges ofemale beauy,who
haunt the converts. The general expression of Marias
face, is interesting and intellectual; yet
'Mslanchlly has marked her for tsown,"
partly arising from the many unpleasant recOlectons
Of her nunnery life. Maria gracefully, with
light step, light Grecan be and much of the
pure IS there about her, that one-no editor,
no clergyman man, philosopher, see her
without feeling interest in her behalf.
During the interview she questioned by many
ladies' and gentlemen present, to the various facts
detailed in her book. She replied readily and without
hesitation. No contradiction of herself could be dis
covered The questions of the ladies, particularly,
ferred TO the of the Catholic clergy. Ths~as
natural enough During the interview she was firm
without boldness-steady in her gaze, vet
Iy SO.
Thus far the interview. Every present appeared
10 depart with firm conviction that her story is true.
IL will be proper state, however, that this company
was composed entirely Of ProtestanIs. As soon
possible We Catholics intend to have interview for
our own satisfaction, when We hope, cross examina
ton will tell different tale.
Maria Monk is the daughter OF a Scotchman Who was
an officer in the British army. That one point in her
fayor for, although have a mean opinion of our
countrymen here, would he dangerous for any man
in our presence say any thing against the lovely
fascinating Scotchw omen, bounding their native
hills She escaped from the Nunnery about two years
ago and came this city. but how or by what means