The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-21

ertiR observed IN the later decades OF the
Inquisition, but he holds IL 10 have been
unquestonably a contributing factor.
II our author devotes some seventy pages
to this subject and enters infinitely into the
workings OF the c~onfscatory function OF
the InQuisition L is because its importance
has scarcely been recognized by those VINO
have previously treated OF the institution.
Not only did confiscation supply the means
OF support to the Spanish 1nquisition during
it's period Of greatest activity. but It was
recognized by the inquisitors themselves
az their most potent weapon and the n
most dreaded by the industrious classes,
which formed their chief field OF labor.
The potency Of the weapon IL measured
by the misery which il inflicted through
long generations on the innocent and help
less, a misery far transcending the agonles
Of those who persisted at the stake. Inc
cruelty Of confiscation, indeed, was equal
to it's effectiveness. To strip a man, per-
haps advanced in years, Of the results OF
the Iabors Of a lifetime and TO turn his wife
and children penniless on the streets ooa-
stituted a severity Of infection which rem
dered the sparing Of his life a doubtful
mercy, and it was not without reason that
legists deemed it equivalent TO capital
punishment.
To the drastic effect OF confiscation was
largely owing the ultimate extinction OF
Judaism in Spain. for the exalted heroism
which might dare the horrors OF the brdseTo
might well give way before the prospect OF
poverty to be endured by disinherited on
spring. To confiscation, also, is largely
attributable, as W. have intimated, the
~stagnation Of Spanish commerce and IN
dustry, for trade could not flourish when
credit was impaired. and confidence could
not exist when merchants and a
~facturers OF the highest standing might at
any moment fall into the hands OF the
tribunal and have all their assets impounded.
We must bear in mind. too, that the In
QUESTION came into CASTLE at a time when
geographical discovery was revolutlonlzlng
the worlds commerce, when the era OF
ndustrialism was dawning and the future
belonged to the nations which should have
fewest trammels in adapting Themselves to
the new development. The phioal
position OF Spain was such az TO give II
control OF the illimitable possibilities OF
the future, but it blindly threw away all
it's advantages into the laps Of hereto
Holland and England. Many causes, no
doubt, contributed to this fatal loss OF a
great opportunity, but by no means the
least among them was the bleeding to
an@mia through centuries OF the productive
classes and the insecurity which the en-
forcement Of conflscation cast over all the
operations Of industry and
VII.
In one OF the chapters on the practice
Of the Spanish Inquisition we are cautioned
to distinguish between the cdrceles secTetds
(secret PRISON., which was the official
designation Of the place OF confinement
during the trial OF those accused OF heresy'
and the casa de penitencid, or punitive
prison reserved for the punishment OF those
adjudged guilty. DIR. Lea's f~airmindedness
is nowhere better e1emplified than in his
comment on this subject. After a careful
review of the facts he reaches the conclusion
that the secret prisons Of the Spanish Inqui-
sition we're less intolerable places OF abode
than we're the contemporary episcopal and
public jails. He recognizes that the gen.
eral policy observed respecting them was
more humane and enlightened than was
that of other jurisdictions, whether in Spain
or elsewhere, although negligent super
vision made way for abuses, and there were
ample resources Of rigor in reserve when
the obstinacy OF the ~impenitent was to
be broken down. The one objectionable
feature was the seclusion which kept the
unhappy captive ignorant Of all that oc-
Cured outside of his prison walls. and de
prived him Of facilities for defence and OF
communication with family and friends.
This absolute isolation rendered doubly
bitter the prolonged detention, which often
held him for years in suspense as to their
fate. and deprived them of all knowledge
concerning him.
The method OF inQuisitorial treatment
OF evidence was 80 largely a determining
factor in the fate Of the accused that a
chapter is allotted to a consideration OF it.
After an examination OF the data DR.. Les
cannot resist the deduction that the system
of procedure was framed rather to secure
conviction than to ascertain the truth.
Guilt was presumed in the fact OF arrest
and the business Of the tribunal was to
prove it. 1t il almost incredible how
slender was the evidence required for an
arrest. Changing the body linen or table
linen on Saturday, lighting andes on
Friday and similar o~bservances were
accounted proofs OF a most damaging
character; even eating amin, a broth liked
by Jews, il enumerated among the Of
fences entailing appearance in an auto
de 70. When a woman was tried at Sar-
agossa in 1901 she admitted that when a
child she had eaten a few mouthfuls OF
Passover bread given to her by a play
mate, and the admission was gravely de-
tailed in her sentence az one OF the proofs
OF vehement suspicion for which she
was severely punished. Circumcision, In
the later period OF the Inquisition, was
an evidence almost decisive Of the charge
that an ostensible New Christian was at
heart a Jew. Among the Moriscos the
demonstration OF a propensity to clean
illness by the frequent washing OF ones self
was accounted an indication of apostasy.
When one DR.. Enrquez, physician to II e
Duke OF Alva, died at Valladolid in 1922,
his body was found to be soiled; it needed
washing and to have a clean shirt put on 1t.
These things having been done, a number
OF onIookers deposed that the body had
been prepared for sepulture according
70 Jewish rites. The Supreme Council OF
the Inuuisition ordered the arrest Of all
.n~-ad with seouestration. The whole