Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Succinct Account Of The Life Of The Writer.
passport rectified by the nuncio , and meanwhile send your effects ; keep on board , for I have given orders to arrest you if you are seen an hour hence in town . " Then , without going to finish my repast , I had my luggage fetched , ancl went on board . There , filled with grief at being treated so rudely , I said to myself : If you are treated thus in a liberal country , what will happen at Rome ? You will be shut up for life , or they will send you back to your own country , where the executioner will make you die on the scaffold . I directed my fervent prayers to the
Almighty , and nerving myself with a courage , proof for everything , I was inspired with a profound tranquillity of spirit . After a short navigation we arrived at the Holy City , where I enjoyed a tranquil life . I received resources from my family , and occupied myself with copying writings for an advocate ; waiting for the time when I might return to my country , according to what my brothers had written to me .
At four o clock on the morning of the 21 st of February , 1823 , whilst I was quietly reposing in my bed , my landlady entered my room , telling me with agitation that a number of people were asking for me ; she believed it was the police , and that , if I wanted to escape , I might jump out of a back window , whilst she was going to open the front door . At first I was confused , but resuming my habitual tranquillity , I told her that I feared nothing , and that she might open the door to the men , who were knocking incessantly . In an instant my room was filled with men .
Their chief , a man of the most horrible aspect , after having asked my name , commanded me to dress . I did so without answering , and when 1 had put my feet on the floor , two men took cords from their pockets , tied my hands and feet , and lifted me on a chair . Whilst this was going on , others rummaged among my papers , and then , having untied my feet , led me down stairs and put me into a vehicle , which was waiting at the door . After a quarter of an hour ' s ride we stopped ; they made
me go out ancl enter through a large gate , which closed directly after us . Then they conducted me into a room , untied my hands which were already swollen , ancl stripped me to the skin . They searched my clothes , and having found nothing , they told me to put them on again , ancl to follow a man who hacl a large bundle of keys in his hand . I descended and ascended several stairs , and found myself at last in front of a large door , which was opened ancl closed again after us . We hacl not gone
many steps in this corridor , when my conductor told me to look behind me ; and , pointing to a crucifix of a prodigious size , he said to me these words : " All your hopes are in His hands—commend yourself to Him . " I knew well the meaning of these words , and did not answer . We arrived at a small door , it was opened ; I was told to enter , which 1 did by stooping , and I heard the door locked . I was now in utter darkness ; and dared not stir from my place , fearing lest I was in an " oubliette , " but
stretching out my arms 1 could feel the four walls . Then I sat myself down , waiting for daylight ; I saw it come through a small skylight , which was about nine feet high . Some hours elapsed , when my door was opened , and they brought me a piece of bread and some water . About three months passed with the same treatment , and I was reduced to such a state of weakness , that I was scarcely able to keep myself upright . One clay , towards noon , I was called to go to my examination . Arrived in an apartment , entirely covered with black , at the bottom of which was a table with a black covering ancl a crucifix on it , with two candles , I perceived an ecclesiastic , and another man at his side , sitting
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Succinct Account Of The Life Of The Writer.
passport rectified by the nuncio , and meanwhile send your effects ; keep on board , for I have given orders to arrest you if you are seen an hour hence in town . " Then , without going to finish my repast , I had my luggage fetched , ancl went on board . There , filled with grief at being treated so rudely , I said to myself : If you are treated thus in a liberal country , what will happen at Rome ? You will be shut up for life , or they will send you back to your own country , where the executioner will make you die on the scaffold . I directed my fervent prayers to the
Almighty , and nerving myself with a courage , proof for everything , I was inspired with a profound tranquillity of spirit . After a short navigation we arrived at the Holy City , where I enjoyed a tranquil life . I received resources from my family , and occupied myself with copying writings for an advocate ; waiting for the time when I might return to my country , according to what my brothers had written to me .
At four o clock on the morning of the 21 st of February , 1823 , whilst I was quietly reposing in my bed , my landlady entered my room , telling me with agitation that a number of people were asking for me ; she believed it was the police , and that , if I wanted to escape , I might jump out of a back window , whilst she was going to open the front door . At first I was confused , but resuming my habitual tranquillity , I told her that I feared nothing , and that she might open the door to the men , who were knocking incessantly . In an instant my room was filled with men .
Their chief , a man of the most horrible aspect , after having asked my name , commanded me to dress . I did so without answering , and when 1 had put my feet on the floor , two men took cords from their pockets , tied my hands and feet , and lifted me on a chair . Whilst this was going on , others rummaged among my papers , and then , having untied my feet , led me down stairs and put me into a vehicle , which was waiting at the door . After a quarter of an hour ' s ride we stopped ; they made
me go out ancl enter through a large gate , which closed directly after us . Then they conducted me into a room , untied my hands which were already swollen , ancl stripped me to the skin . They searched my clothes , and having found nothing , they told me to put them on again , ancl to follow a man who hacl a large bundle of keys in his hand . I descended and ascended several stairs , and found myself at last in front of a large door , which was opened ancl closed again after us . We hacl not gone
many steps in this corridor , when my conductor told me to look behind me ; and , pointing to a crucifix of a prodigious size , he said to me these words : " All your hopes are in His hands—commend yourself to Him . " I knew well the meaning of these words , and did not answer . We arrived at a small door , it was opened ; I was told to enter , which 1 did by stooping , and I heard the door locked . I was now in utter darkness ; and dared not stir from my place , fearing lest I was in an " oubliette , " but
stretching out my arms 1 could feel the four walls . Then I sat myself down , waiting for daylight ; I saw it come through a small skylight , which was about nine feet high . Some hours elapsed , when my door was opened , and they brought me a piece of bread and some water . About three months passed with the same treatment , and I was reduced to such a state of weakness , that I was scarcely able to keep myself upright . One clay , towards noon , I was called to go to my examination . Arrived in an apartment , entirely covered with black , at the bottom of which was a table with a black covering ancl a crucifix on it , with two candles , I perceived an ecclesiastic , and another man at his side , sitting