mSTOliV AND ETHNOLOGY. 113 



v^3?acity were not questioned. Tlic accuser luinself, as Avell as the relations 

 of the accused, Avere admitted as witnesses, provided they would testify against 

 the prisoner. 



If, at the close of such proceedini]^s, tlie accused <lid not confess tlie crime 

 imputed to him, the torture Avas a})plied. Of this there were three degrees : 

 the cord and pulley, water, and fire. The apartment in which the penalties 

 were inflicted was called the torture chamher. It was a circular room, in a 

 deep cellar. Two dim tapers cast a pale, sickly light. The atmosphere was 

 humid, oppressive, and burdened with a noisome odor. Water oozed through 

 the soft stone of the walls, on which were suspende<d the unsightly instrument's 

 of torture, the diabolical inventions oF bigoted monks, at whose very aspect the 

 stoutest heart quailed in terror. Scaffolding for various purposes was in 

 readiness ; iron bolts, chains, screws, and spikes of frightful length, were 

 strewed about the place ; and the blaze of a huge pan of glowing coals threw 

 a hideous glare over the Avhole. 



The executioners were dressed in black linen gowns, which reached 

 nearly to the feet, and wore masks of the same color. The inquisitors, with 

 a bishop of the diocese, occupied an elevated position, so as to observe the 

 application of the torture. At a sign from the Grand Inquisitor, the fami- 

 liars seized and stripped the convict, leaving him only his shirt. He was 

 then once more advised to confess. If he persisted in affirming his inno- 

 cence, or if he maintained silence, he then underwent the torture of the first 

 degree. The tormentors, after placing his hands behind his back, attached to 

 them a cord which passed over a pulley at the top of the arch ; then seizing 

 the other end, they swung him rapidly to the ceiling, and then made him 

 descend forcibly to within a small distance from the ground. By this agoniz- 

 ing process the victim frequently lost his consciousness. His persecutors 

 hardly waited till he had time to revive. As soon as he opened his eyes, up 

 he went again with greater violence, if possible, than before, and was 

 either dropped in the same manner, or left suspended while he was once more 

 exhorted to confess. At Rome this torture was carried on for half an hour, 

 and in Spain for even a full hour. It often happened that the cord pressed 

 deep into the quivering flesh, so that the blood streamed down, and the 

 prisoner's limbs and muscles were so wrenched as to make it impossible for him 

 to stand. 



Next came the second degree, or the water torture. The apparatus for 

 this operation consisted of a large trough, capable of holding a man's body. 

 It was so arranged that the head lay lower than the feet. The prisoner 

 was fixed in his position, being merely supported by a sharp-edged stave, 

 the torturers binding his hand and feet firmly to the frame. He was then 

 again admonished to confess his guilt. If he steadfastly asserted his inno- 

 cence, a few turns of a crank would so tighten the ropes fastening his feet 

 and hands, that they cut deep into the flesh, and drew streams of blood. 

 Upon his continued refusal to confess, the torturers laid upon his face a 

 fine towel, part of which covered the mouth, and part entered the nostrils ; 

 the whole was then moistened with water, which passed slowly, drop by 

 drop, into the mouth and nose. xAs the fluid trickled into the throat, 



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