In

would grant the request in his capacity as Papal delegate, and sub-delegated the Papal prelate Spital, a very intelligent and worthy man. his company and that of his actuary, Kwialkowski, the judicial witnesses, Stanislaus Gralewski and Theophil Parvi, the judge drove to the convent. The latter, which is one of the strictest female orders, is situated in one of the most beautiful suburbs of Cracow.

The convent was first entered by Father Spital, and the commission went to the upper corridor, followed by the nuns, one of whom showed the judge the cell of Sister Barbara. This cell, between the pantries, close to the dung-hole, had a walledup window and a double wooden door, in which there was a movable grating, through which, very probably, food was handed in. The cell, seven paces long by six paces wide, was opened; but it is almost impossible to describe the view this piece of inquisition of the nineteenth century presented. In a dark, infected hole, adjoining the sewer, sat, or rather cowered, on a heap of straw, an entirely naked, totally neglected, half insane woman, who, at the unaccustomed view of light, the outer world, and human beings, folded her hands, and pitifully implored: "I am hungry; have pity on me; give me meat, and I shall be obedient." This hole, for it could hardly be called a chamber, besides containing all kinds of dirt and filth, and a dish with rotten potatoes, was deficient of the slightest decent accommodation. There was nothing-no stove, no bed, no table, no chair-it was neither warmed by a fire nor by the rays of This den the inhuman sisters, who call themselves women, spiritual wives, the brides of heaven, had selected as a habitation for one of their own sex, and kept her therein in

the sun.

close confinement for twenty-one years-since 1848. For twenty-one years the Gray sisters daily passed this cell, and not one of them ever thought of taking compassion on this poor outcast prisoner. Half human being, half animal, with a filthy body, with thin knockkneed legs, hollow cheeks, closely shorn dirty head, unwashed for years, came a horrible-looking being forward, such as Dante in his wildest imagination was unable to picture. With her deeply-sunk eyes staring on one spot knelt this wretched victim in her cell in the Convent of the Carmelites. The judge instantly ordered the nun to be clothed, and went himself for Bishop Galecki. The bishop was deeply moved, and, turning to the assembled nuns, he vehemently reproached them for their inhumanity. Is this," he said, "what you call love of your neighbour? Furies, not women, that you are, is it thus that you purpose to enter the kingdom of heaven?" The nuns ventured to excuse their conduct, but the bishop would not hear them. "Silence, you wretches!

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he exclaimed; "away, out of my sight, you who disgrace religion!" The bishop and prelate at once suspended the Father Confessor, and also the Superioress, who is descended from an old honourable Polish noble family. The bishop ordered nun Barbara Ubryk to be brought into a clean cell, and there to be dressed and nursed. When the unhappy nun was led away, she asked anxiously whether she would be brought back to her grave; and when asked why she had been imprisoned, she answered: "I have broken the vow, but,' pointing with a fearfully wild gesture and in great excitement to the sisters, "they are not angels!"

This fearful personal history, just brought to the light of day, shows what iniquity may be covered

by the sacred name of religion, even in this nineteenth century, in these unnatural abodes of men and women that are springing up around us so numerously.

HISTORY OF THE JEWS.

FROM NEHEMIAH TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.

CHAPTER XXI.

WHILST Vespasian was besieging Jotapata, the inhabitants of Japha, a city in the neighbourhood rebelled also; being encouraged thereto by the vigorous resistance made by the brethren. Vespasian being informed of this, sent thither Trajan with two thousand foot and a thousand horse. The town was compassed with two walls. The Jews, being overpowered, took to flight; Trajan, pursuing close at their heels, entered with them at the first gate, which the citizens perceiving, shut the second to prevent the Romans from entering that also. Thus the most valiant men of the city were exposed to the sword of the enemy, without the least possibility of escape, being enclosed between the two walls; the Romans having shut one gate, and their own citizens the other. They were now butchered like sheep, having no courage to resist. Titus arriving soon after, with fresh forces, the town was taken by storm, and a dreadful slaughter ensued; none being spared except the women and children who were taken captives. The whole number of the slain, both in the city and in the first conflict, amounted to fifteen thousand.

Joppa, which had been lately destroyed by Cestius, being rebuilt and inhabited by some seditious Jews, who infested that part of the

country, Vespasian sent some troops to take it, which they soon accomplished. The inhabitants, terrified at the sight of the Romans, instead of attempting to make resistance, immediately took to their ships; when a sudden tempest arising, they were beat back and dashed upon the rocks, those who escaped being put to the sword. Thus 4,200 lost their lives.

Vespasian next proceeded to Cæsarea Philippi, to refresh his army, and was entertained by Agrippa. From thence he marched to Tiberias, which yielded, and was spared at the request of Agrippa. Tarichea, on the Sea of Galilee, was next attacked, but making resistance, it was destroyed; great numbers were cut to pieces, and thirty-thousand sold for slaves. He next took Gamala, after a month's siege, and, shortly after, the mountain Itaburium, both with great slaughter. Giscala, another town in Galilee, was invested by Titus. He offered fair terms to the governor, John, who appeared ready to embrace them, till he found an opportunity to fly with his party to Jerusalem. Titus spared the city when he took it, put a garrison in it, and repaired to Cæsarea, where he was joined by his father, Vespasian, who ended the campaign in December, with the total reduction of the province of Galilee.

While Judea was in this deplorable situation, Rome itself was not much better. The Romans had borne, with patience, the dissimulation of Tiberius, the brutality of Caligula, and the stupidity of Claudius; but the fury and madness of Nero brought on a revolution, and the senate condemned him to have his head made fast in a pillory, and to be scourged to death; but hearing of this sentence, he, with the assistance of others, stabbed himself.

Galba succeeded, who, after a short tumultuous reign, was murdered. Otho was chosen by the soldiers, and acknowledged by the senate. He

was scarcely settled on the throne, before the legion in lower Germany created their commander Vitellius, emperor, without regard to the senate.

The claims of these two emperors could not be decided but by the sword. Thus was all the world in commotion, as well as Judea; fulfilling our Saviour's prediction, that there should be "wars and rumours of wars, nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." The civil war among the Romans commenced, and was carried on rapidly. In a few days, three considerable battles were fought; in each of which Otho's party was defeated. Though he might have carried on the war, he determined to sacrifice his own life to spare the blood of his countrymen, and, in the presence of his army, carried his resolution into effect, by stabbing himself, having reigned only twelve weeks and six days.

Vitellius, by his conduct being very unpopular, Vespasian was unanimously chosen and proclaimed emperor. A council was called wherein it was determined that Titus should continue the war against the Jews: that Mutianus should enter Italy, with the greatest part of the legions: and that Vespasian should go to Alexandra to provide for all parts as occasion should require. Vespasian forgot not his famous prisoner, Josephus, but publicly applauded his valour, and gratefully acknowledging his predictions concerning his own advancement to the empire, he immediately ordered his chains to be knocked off, and himself to be set at liberty. Vitellius was defeated and put to the sword, after a short reign of eight