Book! Travels in India. 



chap. xv. 



The Story of Father Ephraim, and how he was pit into the Inqttifition 



at Goa by a fitrfrifal. 



TH E Chiki who had marri'd the Eldeft of the Princeffes of Golconda, not be- 

 ing able to perfwade Father Ephraim to ftay at Bagnabar, where he promis'd 

 to build him an Houfe and a Church, gave him an Ox and two Men to carry him 

 to Maflipatan, where he ftaid to embark for Pegu, according to the order of his 

 Superiors. But finding no Veflel ready to let fail,the Englijh drew him to Madref- 

 patan,whew they have a Fort call'd St. George, and a general Factory for every thing 

 that concerns the Countreys of Golconda, Pegu and Bengala. They over-perfwa- 

 ded him that he might reap a fairer Harveft in this place, than in any other part 

 of the Indies ; to which end they prefently built him a very neat Houfe, and a 

 Church. But in the conclufion, the Englijh fought not fo much the intereft of 

 Father Ephraim, as their own. For Madrefpatan is but half a league from St. 

 Thomas, a Sea-Town upon the Coaft of Cormandel, indifferently well-built, as for- 

 merly belonging to the Portugais. In that place there was a very great Trade, 

 efpecially for Calicuts, and a very great number of Merchants and Workmen liv'd 

 there, the greateft part whereof defir'd to inhabit at Madrefpatan with the Eng- 

 lijh, but that there was no place for them to exercife their Religion in that place. 

 But when the Englijh had built a Church, and perfwaded Father Ephraim to ftay, 

 many of the Yortuguez.es quitted St. Thomas 3 by reafon of the frequent Preaching 

 of Father Ephraim, and his great care as well of the Natives., as of the Portu- 

 gais. Father Ephraim was born at Auxerre, the Brother of Monfieur Chateau de 

 Boys 3 Counfellor of the Parliament of Paris ; who was very happy in learning 

 Languages, Co that in a little time he lpoke Englijh and Portuguese perfectly well. 

 But now the Clergy of St. Thomas-Church feeing Father Ephraim in fo high a re- 

 putation, and that he drew the greateft part of their Congregation to Madrefpa- 

 tan, were fb enrag'd againft him, that they refolv'd to ruine him. And thus they 

 ]aid their plot. The Engljh and Portugueses being neer-neighbours, could not 

 choofe but have lèverai quarrels one among another, and ftill Father Ephraim 

 was appli'd to for the compofing their differences. Now one day it happen a, that 

 the Portugueses quarrell'd on purpofè with fome Englijh Mariners that were in 

 St. Thomas-Road, and the Englijh came by the worft. The Englijh Prefident re- 

 lblving to have fatisfaftion for the injury, a War broke out between the two Na- 

 tions : which had ruin d all the Trade of that Countrey, had not the Merchants 

 on both fides been very diligent to bring things to an accommodation : not know- 

 ing any thing of the wicked contrivance of particular perfons againft Father 

 Ephraim. But all the interpofition of the Merchants avail'd nothing : the Friar 

 muft be concern d in the affair, he muft be the Mediator to aft between party 

 and party, which he readily accepted. But he was no fooner enter'd into St. Tho- 

 mas, but he was feiz'd by ten or twelve Officers of the Inquifition, who fhipp'd 

 him away in a Frigat that was bound at the fame time for Goa. They fetter d and 

 manacl'd him, and kept him two and twenty days at Sea, before they would let 

 him once put his foot a-fhoar : though the belt part of the Mariners lay a-moar 

 every night. When they came to Goa, they ftaid till night before they would land 

 Father Ephraim, to carry him to the Inquifition-Wuufe. For they were afraid, 

 left if they mould land him in the day, the people mould know of it, and rife in 

 the refcue of a perfbn, who was in an high veneration over all India. The news 

 was prefently fpread abroad in all parts, that Father Ephraim was in the Inquifi- 

 tion, which very much amaz'd all the French-men. But he that was moft fur- 

 priz'd, and moft troubl'd at it was Friar Zenon, the Capuchin, who had been for- 

 merly Father Ephraim's Companion ; who after he had confulted his friends, re- 

 folv'd to go to Goa, though he were put into the Inquiftion himfelf. For when 

 a man is once fhut up there, if any one have the boldnefs to fpeak to the Inquifi- 

 tor, or to any of his Councel in his behalf, he is prefently put into the Inquiftion 



