The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-09-21

it was dreadful to perceive the anguish of
each individual as the dresses were one by
one brought forward, and with the heavy
drops Of perspiration on his brow, he
watched with terror lest one should be pre-
sented to him. All was doubt, fear and
horror.
But the prisoners in the Hall were not
those who were to suffer death. Those
who wore the Sanbenitos had to walk in
the procession and receive but slight punish
ment; those who wore the Samlras had been
condemned but had been saved from the
consuming fire, by acknowledgment oftheir
offence; the flames painted on their dresses
were reversed, and signifed that they were
not to suffer;but this the unfortunate wretch
es did not know, and the horrors OF cruel
death started them in the face
Another hall similar to the one in which
the men had been collected; was occupied
by female culprits: the same ceremonies
were observed-the same doubt, fear, and
agony were depicted upon every counte-
nance. But there was a third chamber,
smaller than the other two, and this cham
Der had been reserved for those who had
been sentenced, and who were TO suffer at
the stake. 1t was into this chamber that
Anime was led and there she found seven
other prisoners dressed in the same manner
as herself; two only were Europeans, the
other five were negros slaves. Each Of
these had their confessors with them, and
were earnestly listening to his exortation.
A monk approached Anime but she waved
him away with her hand; he looked at her
spat on the floor and cursed her. The head
jailor now made his appearance with the
dresses fol those who were in this chamber
these were Samarias, only different from
tiIo others, irNsmuch as the Anpaes were
painted on them upward instead of down.
These dresses were of gray stuff loose,
like waggoner's lrock: at the lower part
Of them both before and behind; was pain
ted the likeness of the wearer, that is, the
face only, resisting upon burning faggot
and surrounded with flames and demons.
Under the portrait was written the crime for
which the party suffered. Sugar loaf caps
with flames painted on them, were also
brought and put on their heads, and the long
wax candles were placed in their hands
Anime and the others condemned being
arrayed in these dresses, remained in the
chambers for some hours before it was
time for the procession TO commence, for
they had been all summoned up by the jai-
lors at about two o'clock in the morning
The sun rose brilliantly, much to the joy
of the members of the Holy Office, who
would not have lhe day obscured on which
they were 10 vindicate the honor of the
church, and prove how they acted up to the
old doctrins of our SAVIOUR; those of charity,
good will, forbearing one another, foIgiving
one another.
The prisoners were then all conducted in
procession to the Cathedral, the grand alter
of which was hung with black cloth, and
lighted up with thousand of tapers. On
one side of it was a throne for the grand In
QUESTION or the other raised platform for
the Viceroy of God and his suite. The
center aisle had benches for the prisoners,
and the god fathers; the other portion Of the
procession falling off to the right and left,
to the side aisle and they mixing for the
time with the spectators AS the prisoners
entered the Cathedral, they were led into
their seats, those least guilty sitting nearest
to the alter, and those who were condemn
ed to the stake being placed the farther from
| it.
The bleeding Anime tottered to her seat
and longed for the home which was to sew
er her from a Christian world. She
thought not Of herself, nor if what she was
to suAer;she thought but of Philip;of his be-
ing safe from these mercifnl creatures ofthe
happiness of dying first, and ofmeoiing him