The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-09-04
A FLIGHT FROM THE IN0UIsITIoN.


A FLIGHT FROM THE INQUISITION.
Archibald Bower, whose singular ex,
periences of an italian inquisition in
the last century we propose to narrate,
was native of Scotland, being born.
there about the year 1856. When only
i've years old, he was sent over by his
parents to an uncle in Italy. In that
country his education was entirely con-
Quoted, and he became so great pro-
ficlent in learning as to be appointed,
when yet very young, to various little
scholastic offices. Eventually, he was
made Professor of Rhetoric and Logic
in the college at Macerata. Here was
established an inquisition, the constitu-
tion of which may be gathered pretty
accurately from Bowers own account.
The Holy Tribunal, he says, consisted
of an inquisitor, who was president of
it, and twelve counselors. The latter
were chosen by the inquisitor either
from among the ecclesiastics or the
laity, but were always men eminent for
learning. They had a salary of about
two hundred pounds per annum each,
and an apartment in the inquisition
house, where the inquisitor resided.
There were, in addition, great privi-
leges and much honor to the counselors,
besides a certainty of good preferment.
The offences coming under their cog
nizance were purely those against the
faith or practice of the church, and
these were generally very trifiing-such
as doing or saying anything disrespect-
full with regard to saints, images, relics,
or the like. When any person was ac-
cused before the inquisitor, q council
was summoned, always in the middle of
the night. If any happened to be alb
sent, their place was supplied by no.
tary-for all trials must be in full
court-who made known to them the
crime, without naming either the in
former or the criminal.
On an accused person being appre-
hended, he was confined seven or eight
days without the least glimpse of light,
or any other sustenance than little
bread and water once day. After that
time was elapsed, the court was sum-
moned for the trial. A notary attended,
to write down all the accused should
say, and surgeon to feel his pulse, and
tell how much torture he could be made
to bear The machines and engines for
torturing being all fixed, the prisoner
was brought, and without eyer having
been told either his offence or accuser,
or having had the least liberty to ex-
postulate, he was exhorted to confess
his guilt
An account of the tortures and pun
ishmcnts inflicted would be superfuous,
for they are well known. We pass on
to Bowers personal narrative. While
Professor of Rhetoric in the college, he
was, by favor of the inquisitor, ap-
pointed to vacant Office of Judge,
which, looking to emoluments, was con-
sidered a good preferment. Speedily,
the horrid scenes he was compelled to
witness shocked his feelings. His sense
of justice was outraged, and he wished
himself well out of the position into
which he had unfortunately fallen. For
three years he was projecting his es-
cape, and revolving in his mind every
possible method of effecting it. But
when he considered the formidable diff.
fculties with which each of them was
attended, and the terrible consequences
if he failed in the attempt, he was mel
in suspense At last an accident hap
pened which confirmed his resolution,
but at the same time gave the inquisi-
tor an opportunity of trying him to the
utmost. A person who was his intimate
friend was accused to the inquisition
for saying something irreverent regard
ing the Carthusian friars, and, by or
ders of the inquisitOr, Bower was order
ed to arrest him. 1t was dreadful
trial Of feeling, but he executed his
commission. The inquisitor said the
next morning, when Mr.. Bowers de-
liyered the key of the prison. and told
him that the gentleman was there
"This is done like one that is desirous
at least to conquer the weakness of ma
ture."
After this, no one will be surprised
that Bower was determined to effect his
escape from an Office so iu-suited to
him. 1t was a most desperate under
taking, but the manner of it was all
that now occupied his thoughts. He
resolved to ask leave to go to Loretto,
and for that purpose waited upon the
inquisitor several times. Conscious,
however, of his own design, whenever
he attempted to speak, he feared the
words would falter on his tongue, and
his very confusion betray him, and he
was some time before he preferred his
request. At last, one day, being in
familiar converse with the inquisitor,
he came out with it at once. "My
Lord" said he, it is long since was
at Loretto, will your lordship give me
leave to go there for week ?" "With
all my heart" was the reply. Having
all his matters in readiness, including
his valuable papers, (among which was
the Directory,) he ordered horse to
be at his door early the next morning.
When the horse came, he carried his
portmanteau down himself, and fixed
it to the saddle. He carried two loaded
pistols in case of emergency, being re-
solved never to be taken alive.
The plan he had laid down was to take
all the by-roads into Switzerland.