Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-26
Correspondence Of the London Daily Nescs.
Roman Superstition and CrueIty--At-
tempted Sacrifice of am English
Child.

ROME, January ga striking and al
most incredible example of the invocation of
diaboic aid. under circumstances which be
tray a great degree OF avarice and cruelty,
has recently occurred on the shores of the
Adriatc, iii the province of La Marca.
A lady of some property, residing general
ly at Aqua Santa. in the Papal dominions,
but bordering on the Neapolitan territory, in
which she also has property, has become pos
sessed with the strongest conviction that in
some part of her estates there is a hidden
treasure of enormous value; but that all her
attempts at its discovery are systematically
opposed by evil spirits Having been inform
ed by some trustworthy woman, who bears
the reputation of being strega, or witch. that
nothing can alIay the spite of these hostile
spirits, and lead to the discovery of the treas
ura except sacrificing to them male child of
good parentage and under six years of age,
this trt assure seeking signora has been for
some months in quest of child adapted for
her purpose, and not too closely guarded for
her Kidnapping Intentions. About month
ago she cast her evil eye upon tine little boy
belonging to an English lady residing at Por-
to iii termO, and skillfUlly watching her OPP
portunity. contrivod to entice the child away
whilst rambling with its mother and playing
about on the seaihOre. The CONSERVATION of
the mother at the child's disappearance may
be easily imagined. Her husband being alb
sent from home at the time, she sent Il young
man, her son-in-law. in quest of the child,
and of the trtasure-seckcr who had inveigled
him away. Towards night the young man
succeeded in tracing the fugitive to a solitary
house at u considerable distance, into which
he eudeavored to obtain admttance. but was
repulsed by the hostile demonstrations of a
body of armed retainers. He then proceeded
to the neighboring town of Ascoii, to procure
the assistance of the police, with sufficient
force of whom he returned to the solitary
house but too late to arrest the kidnappers,
who had dccamped with their victim. Mean
while, the father of the child returned 10 his
home, and having learnt the catastrophe, came
out likewise in hot pursuit, which resulted,
after several days research, in the discovery
of the hiding-place of the lady aud child at
"A curate's house in the Neapolitan dominions.
Daring this interval the lady's house at
Aqua Santa was subjected to judicial
search. and evidence WIS obtained that the
child was to have been sacrificed there on
Christmas day. An altar had been prepare d,
with wax torches and all kinds of accessories,
to immediate the boy to Satan. An ambus-
cade was established around the dwelling in
consequence of this horrible revelation, and
| a party kept constantly on the watch, in case
the lady should return to her habitual resi-
dence.
In the meantime, the father having come up
with the fugitives, demanded his child from
the curate who harbored them; but the priest
refused TO comply. except on condition of a
full pardon 10 the lady. Unwilling to pass
over so heinous transaction, the Infatuated
father appealed without delay TO the bishop
of the diocese. who took instant measures Do
rescue the child, and arrest the lady, who is
now undergoing trial for aregoneria, or
witchcraft, and viii most likely be punished
accordingly. ele
The Pope takes the greatest interest in the
proceedings and Is punctualiy informed OF
/ every point Of interest developed 10y the ex-
/ animation. The child was absent from home
about five days, during which time the mother
/ nearly lost her senses. and has hardly yet re-
covered her tranquility. She Is the sister OF
| an English gentleman. who has been for many
! years engaged in one OF the banking estab-
lishni nts OF Rome. ff-a