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age I had not committed, but to listen to insidious questions, tending to excite evil passions in my breast. From thence I proceeded to the altar, to eat of the bread, and to adore it. Let me here observe, that, notwithstanding all their systems of theology enjoin that no child shall be admitted to the holy table before twelve years of age, I was made an exception to this necessary rule, being permitted at the age of seven years to communicate.

"What shall I say of the practice of corporeal mortification, to which I was incited by the counsels of my Confessor? I shall, amongst others, name that of flagellation, which was prescribed to the youths of the College every Friday, when assembled in the chapel. Each one, at the extinguishing of the candles, was to strike his shoulders with a lash of knotted cords during the slow and solemn recital of the psalm Miserere. I was sometimes commanded to repeat seven Ave Marias, in memory of the seven sorrows of the Virgin, with my hands the whole time placed between my knees and the pavement. It was also frequently suggested to me that I should, at breakfast or at dinner, leave my portion of food untouched; and that I should, at times, abstain from those amusements most congenial to my lively disposition; in order that I might, by such acts of self-denial, acquire command over my appetites and desires. Sacrifices of this nature are called, by the Friars in Italy, 'Flowers whose odour is agreeable to Mary.""

After five years' study in this College, he was sent to that of the Jesuits in Rome, and was admitted to the study of the classics and of rhetoric; but upon his remonstrating with the Governor upon being enjoined to obey the special rules of the establishment, on the ground that, on quitting the house of the Liguorini, he believed himself freed from the obligations there im. posed upon him, and that it was not his intention to follow the ecclesiastical career,-the Jesuit, astonished, stood with the disappointed air of a child who, thinking to pounce upon a bird in its nest, stretches forth his hand to seize his prey, and finds it gone.

foot, and then repeated the words, 'It is not your intention to follow the ecclesiastical career?' adding, in a solemn tone, Why, my son, you have received the tonsure; you have made a promise to God, and God is not to be trifled with. Such promises may not be revoked; if you now draw back, woe be unto you! you will receive the punishment due to your guilt, you will set upon yourself the seal of your damnation.'

"What, Father! is a promise made at eight years of age to bind me for life? and am I to be made a Priest by force?' I said.

"O no, not by force. The dedication of yourself to the Church was voluntary. As to your youth, tender plants are pleasing to God; and Mary loves those children who place themselves under her tutelage, and give themselves to her service. I perceive that this is a temptation of the evil one. The best remedy, under such circumstances, is to have recourse to God, through the medium of Mary. We are now arrived at the month peculiarly her own. Go, throw yourself upon your knees in your chamber, and with true humility write an address to that powerful advocate; ask counsel of her; and be assured that she will inspire you for your good.' Thus saying, he dismissed me.

"With regard to this advice, it is ne cessary I should explain that there is a custom prevailing in Rome, of dedicating the entire month of May to the ser vice of the Virgin. All the students of the Roman College, who are under the guidance of the Jesuits, are required in this month to write an address to her, bearing the following inscription :'To THE MOST HOLY MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. In this address, each young lad exposes his peculiar wants to Mary, and opens to her the most secret recesses of his heart; asking her for assistance to ena ble him to repress those passions which he feels himself least able to govern. These addresses are placed upon the shrine of the Madonna, where they remain till the last day of the month, when they are burnt amidst dedicatory lieve that petitions thus offered will insongs, the youths being taught to be

fallibly have their effect, if not in this world, in the world to come.

"Who cannot, in this usage, perceive the depth and subtlety of the Jesuit, employed to discover the inclinations and predominant passions of the youth under his guidance? Alas, poor youths!

"He opened his eyes, fixed them upon me, examined me from head to

"But to return to my narrative. I wrote my address without delay; not because I had full faith in its efficacy, but to avoid singularity; having before me the example of about three thousand youths who attended these schools."

Will any man of common sense and knowledge of the world, especially of that dark page in its annals, the history of the Jesuits, affect to doubt that these venerable Fathers prostitute their pretended reverence for the Virgin Mary, to get at the inmost secrets of these their unconscious victims, who never dreamed of such sacrilege as that any Jesuit Paul Pry would violate the secrecy of the shrine and the altar?

After four years' residence at the Jesuit College, Ciocci, wearied with the irksomeness of his situation, procured permission from his parents to quit the Jesuit establishment, and to enter that of the Sapienza, which is the principal College in Rome. He was not influenced by religious motives in making this change; but he wished to be free from the austere rules of the Jesuits, to cultivate elegant literature, and to enjoy social intercourse, not excluding that of his female friends and acquaintance, whom the Jesuits urged him to look upon with abhorrence as ministers of Satan." But the Jesuits would not relinquish him; and, accordingly, Father Baudi, a member of that Society, persuaded his mother, to whom he was Confessor,-and who, in misguided devotion, passed whole days at the feet of a crucifix, or before the image of a saint, and believed all the wily Jesuit told her, -that it was her duty to endeavour "to make a saint of her son;" that is, to devote him to monasticism.

"Embracing me, she said, 'If you love me, do not oppose my wishes; but prepare yourself to enter some College, for the purpose of studying philosophy.'

"As if struck with a thunderbolt, I remained stupified; but, after a few seconds, the aversion which I had conceived for those monastic prisons overcame my astonishment, and, in a burst of indignation, I sprang up, exclaiming, O no; never, never shall that be!

Now I perceive that some unworthy, some cruel, Friar, envious of my happiness, has been advising you.'.........

"I should have continued my exclamation, and who knows what more dangerous expressions might have fallen from my lips?-had not the copious tears of my dear mother, who was totally unprepared for such a reply, softened my resentment. I flew to my room, and, locking myself in, refused to answer any

one who came to summon me; and it was not till the following day that, subdued by the entreaties of my sisters, I quitted my chamber.

Let

"I went immediately to my father, who in kind terms reproached me for my arrogance towards my mother, and signified his unalterable determination that I should enter a College. My mother at this moment joined us... me here be permitted to wish, with the Patriarch Job, that this hour might be blotted out from the number of the hours of my life. The agreement for my slavery was now concluded; my replies were still negative; but the opponents with whom I had to contend were power. ful and numerous; and vigorous as was my resistance, I was at length obliged to yield. The tears of my mother, the imperativeness of my father, and the prayers of my sisters, triumphed over my reluctance. They concluded with saying to me, 'You will only remain in College the necessary time for the study of philosophy, and then you will return

home."

In being transferred (in December, 1836) from the paternal roof to the regular Pontifical College, held by the Benedictine and Cistercian Monks, in the monastery of San Bernado, alle Terme Diocleziane, Ciocci believed that he was only entering those fatal doors in order to complete his studies, and that his seclusion would be but tempo rary. But the toils were now around him, and he was entangled before he was aware. His parents, he says, were not privy to the plot; his let ters to them being suppressed, and forged ones substituted in their place; so that they were unaware of his bitter anguish, and believed him to be ardently panting for the felicities of monasticism. This fraudu lent proceeding was so diabolical, that it would be wholly incredible, did not the annals of monachism

render us familiar with such atrocities; and if we believe the story of the confessions deposited on the Virgin Mary's shrine, we may credit, without difficulty, any other act of perfidy.

Ciocci gives a detailed account of what passed during the five years of his residence in the Benedictine and Cistercian monastery.

During the first year he was treated courteously; but he was not permitted to enter upon the study of philosophy, or to peruse the rules of the establishment, both which had been promised him. The following are extracts from his narrative at this period :

"About ten o'clock, on the third day, I was conducted to the sumptuous apartment of the General, who invited me to join him in taking chocolate. While we were partaking of this refreshment, he began, with a serious tone and manner, to extol the blessed life of those who, having bid adieu to a deceitful world, consecrate themselves to God in the tranquil recesses of a cloister. He expatiated on the benefit to be derived from this seclusion, and its sanctifying influence on the soul. Being at a loss to understand why he should treat thus largely on the merits of a kind of life which in no way concerned me, I interrupted him repeatedly with questions.

"When will my scholastic duties commence ?' said I.

"He answered me drily, 'The rules shall be given to you when you have joined the other excellent young men of this institution;' and then immediately resumed his discourse on the importance of the salvation of the soul.

"How much time will be required to terminate the study of philosophy ?> was my next inquiry.

"I have told you that you shall have the rules. I hope much from you, my son,' was his reply.

"His manner of speaking did not alarm me, nor awaken any suspicion in my breast, such phrases being common to the Roman Priests and Friars. He rang the bell, at the sound of which the Master of the Novices made his appearance; and the General, embracing me, consigned me to his care. His kiss, like that of the traitor Judas, was a kiss of betrayal; it was the prelude to six years of rigorous imprisonment,-six years of prolonged suffering. The Monk con

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"What, Father!' I added, in alarm, 'is this the gate of hell?' 'On the contrary,' said he, it is the door of your eternal salvation.' He locked the door, and rang a bell; when suddenly I found myself in the presence of ten young men, from fifteen to sixteen years of age, two of whom warmly embraced me.

"My companions led me into a room, but avoided replying to my numerous inquiries respecting the mode of living, the usages, and the restrictions of this institution. Strict silence, on these points, had been enjoined; and they were menaced with severe punishment in the event of disobeying. In truth, reply was needless; for their pallid countenances, sunken eyes, and attenuated forms, conveyed an answer far more eloquent than words. I had known several of them at their homes, vigorous in health, ruddy, joyous; and my eyes filled with tears at seeing them so strangely altered. The same change will shortly take place in thee; thou also wilt be pale and emaciated like them,' whispered a voice within. But, quickly chasing the unwelcome thought,

No,' said I, it cannot be. Their case bears no parallel with mine: the monkish habit which they wear justifies, in some degree, the austerity of their lives; and hence the change that has taken place. But it is not my intention to assume the tunic: my object in coming here is to study; with that understanding only did I consent to enter this enclosure.'

"One by one the young men quitted the apartment, and I was left with Appollonj. Finding himself alone with me, and remembering the close friendship which had ever existed between us, he threw aside all caution, and anxiously inquired,

"Is it long since you saw my mother and sisters? Are they well? What are they doing?'

"How is this?' I answered, with astonishment. Your mother writes to you weekly, and is satisfied with the assurance that you are happy in your vocation. I do not understand you. It appears to me that the case is far other

wise; and these tears bear strong evidence that all is not well.'

"My friend, my friend!' he exclaimed, giving full vent to his feelings, 'to what a place art thou come ! I never receive letters from my family; and what you have just told me convinces me that my letters are kept back by these monsters.'

666 "O no, you are mistaken: I know to a certainty that your mother receives them punctually.'

"Yes, those written by the Monks in my name, but not my own,' was his reply.

"Impossible!' I exclaimed, amazed at such a declaration; it is impossible that they can have arrived at such a depth of wickedness!'

"It is, alas! but too true; and I am grieved that you should have placed yourself in their terrible talons.'

"If it be indeed so, I will force the door, or jump from the window; nothing shall detain me here.' The blood rose in my veins, and I should have rushed towards the door, to attempt an impossible flight, had not the poor fellow held me back, and with a supplicating voice cried, 'O, for mercy's sake, have pity upon an unfortunate youth! Sacredly restrain your feelings; disclose not a word of what has passed between us; otherwise a heavy punishment will assuredly fall upon me; and, God knows, a few drops of the water of Tofania may be in store for both of us!'

"For both of us? My object in coming here is study; and you say that they will dare to give me the water of Tofania? No, no, it cannot be; this is but a phantom of your heated imagination.'

"I repeat, that what I have uttered is true: I conjure you to submit, as I have done, or in a few days you may cease to exist."

"How? Die! Die in the hands of these cruel men! O unhappy me, where am I?.....

"He took my hand affectionately, and said, Calm yourself, since weeping will do nothing for you, and you will have time enough to weep. Perhaps God may aid you; and let me entreat of you, as you desire peace, as you value your own life, as you value mine, never allow the conversation that has passed between us to escape your lips; and be careful to yield a prompt obedience to the commands of the Monks. Adieu.' Having thus spoken, he hastily quitted the apartment, and I was left alone.

"He never again reverted to this con.

versation probably his silence proceeded from prudential motives.

"All, excepting myself, adopted the collegiate dress. One was presented to me, that I also might cover myself with a hood. But no, that could not be; nothing was farther from my intention. Clothe myself in a tunic!—the idea appeared so strange, so fantastic, and presented itself to my mind under forms so odious, though at the same time so ridiculous, that while it stirred me to mirth, it made me tremble. In vain did my companions entreat and remonstrate, representing that this was a usage to which it was absolutely necessary to conform. I answered them, For you who are come here by your own free choice, with the express purpose of making yourselves Monks, it is well; but for me it will never do.' All my companions, with the exception of D. Cherubino, bad voluntarily given themselves to the sacrifice; but this young man had, like myself, been victimized. He had not yet completed his fifteenth year. Circumstances, age, and misfortune, bound us to each other; we mutually promised fidelity and assistance, and for some time failed not in resisting our common enemies; but he, being at length worn out with suffering and ill treatment, bent his back to the yoke, and yielded himself into their hands.

"Remembering that, in all Colleges, youths admitted as students assume a particular costume, I after a time submitted to what now appeared to me but a small matter, the adoption of the collegiate dress. In consenting, therefore, to this metamorphosis, I looked upon it as a mere form, and hoped soon to lay aside this outward sign of my evil genius. The dress, which was white, consisted of a tunic, a scapulary, a hood, and a broad sash, all made of a woven material composed of silk, worsted, and cotton; plaited frills were turned over the wrists and collar. On festivals, a long white cloak was worn in addition.

"No sooner was I clothed with the tunic, than I received the welcome announcement, that at the expiration of three days the studies would commence. But here, alas! another vexatious disappointment awaited me. Instead of studying philosophy, as I had been led to expect, it was decided that we should previously repeat the course of Italian and Latin literature. The reason assigned for this change was, that all were not sufficiently conversant with the languages to enter upon philosophical studies. I was compelled to submit; and

the day of liberty, which I so ardently longed for, was thus one year further removed."

The year was now drawing to its close, without his having been allowed a single interview with any member of his family. It sometimes happened that he met one or other of his relations or friends in the streets; but the rule was, not to raise the eyes to their countenances; giving them merely a slight token of recognition, by raising the hat from the head. The only alteration which this mode of life had at present produced in his appearance was, loss of colour; but this he attributed to a year's serious application; but he was comforted with the

belief, that, as one year was already past, his chain was shortened a third of its length. He thought that after the third year the doors would be open to him. He had forgotten the

ominous sentence,

"All hope abandon, ye who enter here."

The second year he was tricked into assuming the dress of a Monk, and signing a paper in which he renounced his worldly property, present or prospective, in favour of the monastery. To compass this aim would seem to have been a leading motive in these strange transactions.

"No sooner was this business completed, than the Master commanded me to write to my parents, to inform them that I had signed the deed of renunciation; and was willing, for the benefit of my soul, to assume the Monkish habit. He was present when I wrote this letter: I was therefore obliged to adopt the phrases suggested by him,-phrases breathing zeal and devotion, full of indifference to the world, and tranquil satisfaction at the choice which I had made. My parents,' thought I, will be astonished when they read this epistle; but, however, they must easily perceive that the language is not mine, so little is it in accordance with my former style of writing.' Reader, in the course of thirteen months, one only, of from fifty to sixty letters which I had addressed to my mother, was ever received by her, and that one was this very letter! The Monks, instead of forwarding mine, had

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forged letters, imitating the handwriting, and adopting a style suited to their purpose; and instead of consigning to me the genuine replies, in which, probably, my parents might express their pleasure and satisfaction at the change that had taken place in my sentiments, they artfully substituted answers of their own fabrication.

"I was shut up, for fifteen days, in solitude in my room, in order that I might devote myself entirely to religious exercises. After ten days of rigorous confinement, (for even my food was brought to my chamber,) I became ill; my feet swelled, I was oppressed with nausea, and constant pain in the head; if I attempted to walk, after taking a few turns I grew dizzy, and was compelled to throw myself upon the bed; and it frequently happened that, being unable to reach it, I fell fainting to the

ground; but no one came to my assistance. These indispositions were, no doubt, the effect of want of light, and air, and exercise.

"At length the time of probation was passed, and the day had arrived for publicly consecrating the habit. The time

appointed was the 2d of February, the festival of the Purification of the Virgin, commonly called Candlemas-day. This festival takes its name from its being the day on which holy candles are distributed to the people. Three hours previous to the time appointed for the ceremony, the Master, accompanied by the barber of the monastery, entered my apartment. The barber proceeded to place upon the table razors, scissors, and all things requisite for shaving and for cutting hair. I remained immoveable, looking with stupor on this strange preparation when the barber, turning towards me, inquired, 'Are you ready, Sir?' 'What!' I answered, are you going to shave me? Do you not perceive that I have no beard on my chin? And my hair is quite short; it was cut but a few days ago.'

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"Here the Master observed, My son, you are not going to be shaved; but it is necessary that the tonsure should be made. This is a formality inseparable from the adoption of the habit; in consenting to the one, you have agreed to the other.'

"At the first touch of the razor, I felt the fire kindling within me; and, filled with indignation, I glided from the hands of the barber. My aversion to wearing the appearance of a Monk got the better of me, and I loudly protested that I would not submit to these forms.

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