Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-05-12


and defended by company of soldiers.
When we arrived at the walls, addressed
one Of the sentnels, and summoned the holy
fathers to surrender to the imperial afmy, and
open the gates of the lnquisilon
The sentinel appeared to enter into conteri
sation for a moment with some one. within, al
the close of which, he presented his musket
and shot ono Of my men.
This was the signal for the attack, and or
dercd my troops TO fire upon those who ap.
peared upon the walls.
II was soon obvious that !, was an unequal
warfare. The walls of the Inquisitiou were
covered with soldiers of the holy Office there
was also breastwork upon the walls, behind
which they but partially exposed themselves as
they discharged their muskets.
Our troops were on the open plain, and thus
exposed to destructive fire. We had no can
non, nor could we scale the walls, and the gates
successfully resisted all attempts at forcing
them.
/ could not retire and send for cannon to
break through the walls, without giving them
lime to lay train and blow US up. ! saw that
il was necessary TO change the mode Of attack,
and directed that some trees be cut down and
trimmed, to be used as batiering rams.
Two Of these were taken by deiachments of
men, as numerous as could work to advantage,
and brought to bear upon the wall with all the
power which they could exert, while tho troops
kept up fire TO protect them from the fire
poured upon them from the walls.
Presently the walls began to ircmble, a
breach was made, and the imperial troops rush
ed into the Inquisition.
Here we met with an incident which nothing
but Jusuitical effrontery is equal to. The In
quisitor- General. followed by the other confess
sors, in their priestly robes. all come out Of the
rooms, as we were making our way into the in
terror Of the lnqusiion, and with long faces
and their arms crossed over their breasts, their
fingers resting on their shoulders as though
they had been deaf to all the noises Of the at
tack and the defense, and had just learned what
was going on they addressed themselves in
the language Of rebuke to their own soldiers,
saying, "Why do you fight our friends, the
French 20
Their intention, no doubt, was to make US
think that this defense was wholly unauthorized
By them, hoping if they could make US believe
that they were friendly, they should have bet
ter opportunity, in the confusion of the mo-
ment, TO escape.
Their arti6ce was too shallow, and did not
succeed. caused them to be put under guard,
and all the soldiers of the lnquisition to be se-
cured as prisoners.
We then proceeded TO examine all the rooms
of the stately edifce. We passed through
room after room, found all in perfect order,
and richly furnished with altars and crucifixes,
and wax candles in abundance, but could dis
cover no evidence Of iniquity being practiced
there-nothing Of those peculiar features which
we expected to find in an lnquisition. We
found splendid paintings and an extensive libra
ry. Here was beauty and splendor, and the
most perfect order on which my eyes had ever
rested. The archiieclure-the proportions were
perfect. The ceiling and floors were wood,
secured and highly polished. The marble
pavement was arranged with strict regard TO
order. There was every thing to please the
eye and CRAFTY cultivated taste. Where
were those horrd instruments of torture OF
which we had been told and where were
those dungeons in which human beings were
said to be buried aliyel We searched in vain.
The holy fathers assured us that they had been
belied, that we had seen all, and | was pre-
pared 10 give up the search, convinced that
this Inquisiton was different from others Of
which ] had heard.
But Col Dc Lille was not so ready as myself
to relinquish the investigation, and said 10 me
Colonel you are commander to-day. and as
you say, so it must be; but if you will be ad-
vised by me, let this marble floor be examined
Let water be brought and poured upon it, and
we viii watch to see il there are any places
through which it passes more freely than at
others.
replied to him, "Do as you please" and
ordered water to be brought Immediately.
The slabs of marble were large and boauti
fully polished. When the water was poured
over the floor, much to the dissatisfaction ofthe
holy fathers, careful examination was made Of
every seam in the floor. Presently Col. De
Lille exclaimed tina, he had found H..
: BY the side of one of these marble slabs the
water passes through fast, as though there wa;
an opening beneath. All hands were now al
$ work for further discovery--the officers will
their swords and the soldiers with their bayo
nets seeking to clear out the seam and pry VI
the slab; others with the butts of their mus
kets striking the slab with all their might tC
5 break it, while The priests demonstrated agains
E our desecrating their holy and beautiful house
: While thus engaged, soldier, who wa,
e striking with the butt of his musket, struck a
spring, and the marble slab few up. Then th'
. faces of the Inquisitors grew pale as Beshaz
zar's when the handwriting appeared on th'
Z, wall-they trembled all over. Beneath III,
' marble slab, now partly up, was a staircase.
, stepped up to the altar and took from thu
= candeslick one of the candles, four feet IL
: length, which was burning, that might ex
e plore the room below. As was doing this,
{ was arrested by one of the Inquisitors, VIII,
o laid his hand gently on my arm, and with
It very demure and sanctimonious look, said
= "My son, you must not take those light
II with your bloody hand--lhey are holy"
: "Well, " said |, 81 will take holy thin
to shed light on iniquity ! will bear the re
i sponsibiity."
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