The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-09-12

ments oil men as numerous could work to advan-
tage, and brought to bear upon the walls with all the
power which they could exert regardless of the fire
which was poured upon them from the walls. Pres
emily the walls began to tremble, and under the we'll
directed application of the ram, breach made,
and the imperial troops rushed into the Inquisition-
Here we met with incident which nothing but
Jesutca efirontery is equal TO. The Inqusitor gem
era followed by the father conessors in their priest
ly robes all came out of tho rooms, as were ma
king way into tho interior of the Inquisition and
with long faces and their arms crossed over their
breasts, their fingers resting their shoulders. as
though they had been deaf to all the noise Of attack
ing on they addressed themselves in the language of
rebuke to their own soldiers, saying, why do You
fight our friends the French p
Their intention apparently was to make us think
that this defence wholly unauthorized by them,
hoping if they produced beerin our minds tina, they
were friendly, they could have better opportunity in
the confusion and plumber Of the Inquisition to es-
cape. Their artifce was too shallow, and did not sue
coed. l caused them to be placed under guard, and
all the soldiers Of the Inquislion to be secured as
prisoners We then proceeded to examine this pris.
on house Of hell. We passed through room nlicr
room, found affairs and crucfxes and wax candles in
abundance, but could discover no evidence of in.
Equity being practced there nothing of those pecu-
liar features which expected TO find in that inqui-
sition. Here was beauty and spendor, and the most
perfect order on which my eyes ever rested. The
architecturc-the proportions perfect. The cell.
ings and floors OF wood secured and highly pol
ished. The marble floors were arranged with strict
regard to order There every thing please the
eye and crafty cultivated taste; but where were
those horrd instruments Of torture of which we had
been told, and where those dungeons in which human
beings were said to be buried alive? We searched
in vain. The Holy Fathers assured us they had been
belied That we had seen all, and was prepared
TO give up the search, convinced that this Inqusition
different from others Of which had heard.
But Col. De Lille was not so ready as myself to
give up the search, and said to me, Colonel, you are
commander to day, and you say, 50 ii must be but
ifyou be advised by me- this marble floor be ex
anned more. Let some water be brought in & poured
upon it, and we will watch and sea r there is uny
place through which passes more freely than others
replied TO him do as you please, Colonel and
dered water TO be brought accordingly The slabs Of
marble were large and beautifully polished. When
the water had been poured the floor much 10
the dissatisfaction of the Inqusitors careful exumi.
nation was made Of every in the Aoor to see if
the water passed through. by the side of one OF
these marble slabs the water passed through FAST ms
though there was an opening beneath. All hands
were now at work for further discovery The Off
GERS with their swords, and the soldiers with their
bayonets, seeking to clear out the seam and pry up
the slab Others with the butts Of their muskets
striking the slab with all their might to break itwhle
the priests demonstrated against desecrang their holy
and beautiful house. While thus engaged soldier,
who striking with tho butt of his musket, struck
a spring and the marble slab flew up. Then the ia
ces Of the Inquisitors grew pale, and Belshazzar
when the hand appeared writing the wall, so did
these men of Belial shake and quake in every bone
and joint and sinew. We looked beneath the mar
BILE slab, now partly up, and we staircase.
stepped to the table and took from the candesck one
&C the Candles four feet in length, which burn
no i,;ot :"ht explore what there before u.s.
As was doing tni, was arrested by one of the In
quistors, who laid his hand gently en- my ARM and
with very demure and holy look, said MY soi,Sou
must not take that with your profane and bIoo1y
hand: it is holy 'We WE'LL / said, Il want
something that is holy to il it will not shed light
on iniquty; will bear the responsibility took
the candle and proceeded down the staircase. l
discovered why the water revealed to us this pas
sage. Under the floor tight ceiling except ut
the trap door, which could not be rendered close; -
hence the success of Col De Lilies experiment. As
we reached the foot Of the stairs, entered large
squire room, which called the Hall of Judgment
In the centre Of it large block, and a chain
fastened to it, On this they had been accustomed to
place the accused claimed his seat On this side of
the room was elevated seat called the Throne Of
Judgment. This the Inquistor General occuped,& on
either side less elevated, for the holy faith
ers when engaged in the solemn business Of the Io
ly Inqusiton. From this room proceeded to the
right, and obtained access to small cells, extending
the entire length of the edifico, and, here. what
sight met our eyes! How has the benevolent rcigion
OF Jesus been abused and sandered by its protested
friends |
These cells were places of solitary confinement,
where the wretchcd object of nquisitorial hate
confined year after year, till death released them from
their sufferings and there their bodies suffered
to remain until they were entirely decayed and the