The history of the Inquisition, as it is exercised at Goa written in French, by the ingenious Monsieur Dellon, who laboured five years under those severities ; with an account of his deliverance ; translated into English.

CHAP. VIII. (Book 8)

How I was conducted to the Inquisition, and what is done to them who are shut up in Prison.

I Began to flatter my self that they would suffer me to remain in the al•• Iouvar, till my affair should be ended, because they had left us there all the day and the night following. But I saw all my hopes to vanish, when on the 16th day of Ianuary, an Officer came at Eight of the Clock in the morning with order to carry us to the Holy House. Which was immediately put into Execution. It was not without great trouble that I got to the place whither they conducted me, because of the Irons I had upon my Leggs. Yet were we in this lamentable equi∣page forced to walk the whole way from the al Iouvar to the Inquisi∣tion. Being helped to ascend the stairs, I entred with my Companions into the great Hall, where we found Smiths, who took our Irons off; after which I was first called to audience.

After I had crossed the Hall, I passed in an Antichamber, and from thence to the place where my Judge was. This place, which is called by the Portugueze, Mela do Santo Officio, that is, the Table of the Holy Of∣fice, was spread with diverse pieces of Taffeta, some Blue, others Orange-colour. At one of the ends was placed a great Crucifix in Re∣lievo, which reached almost to the Plancher. There is in the middle of the Chamber a great Scaffold, upon which is placed a Table about 15 foot long and 4 broad, and round about Rails, even upon the Scaffold. At one of the ends of this Table, and upon the side of the Crucifix, was the Secretary sitting upon a folding Stool. I was placed at the other end, over against the Secretary: Just by me, and on my Right hand, was within a Rail the Grand Inquisitor of the Indies, called Francisco Del Gudo e Mates, a Secular Priest, about 40 years old; because of the two Inquisitors which are ordinarily at Goa, the Second, which is always a Religious of the Order of St. Dominick, was gone a little before into Portugal, and that none had been yet named to supply his place.

As soon as I was entred into the Chamber of Audience, I cast my self at the feet of my Judge, imagining to mollifie him by this humble po∣sture: But he would not suffer me to continue in that posture, com∣manding me to arise. Then having asked my Name, and my Profession,

he enquired whether I knew for what reason I had been arrested, and advised me to declare it at large▪ since this was the only means to reco∣ver my liberty speedily. After I had satisfied his two first questions, I told him I believed I knew the reason of my detention; and that if he would have the goodness to hear me, I would accuse my self upon the spot. I mixed my tears with my prayers, and once more prostrated my self at his feet: But my Judge, without being moved, told me it signified nothing; that he had then more important business to handle than mine was; and that he would cause me to be advertised when he should resume me ••ffair: and so immediately ringing a little Bell of Sil∣ver which was before him, he made use of it to call the Alcaide, or Jaylor, of the Holy Office, who entred into the Chamber, from whence he led me, and carried me into a long Gallery not far off, whither the Secreta∣ry followed us: Thither I saw my Trunk-brought, which was opened in my presence; they searched my also narrowly, and took from me all which I had about me, to my very Buttons, and a Ring which I had upon my finger, without leaving me any thing except my Chaplet and my Handkerchief, and some pieces of Gold which I had sowed up in one of my Garters, which they forgot to search. Of all the rest they immediately made a pretty exact Inventory, which afterwards was wholly unuseful to me; for all that was valuable was never restored to me, although at that time the Secretary had assured me, that at my en∣largement all should be faithfully returned into my hands: and the In∣quisitor himself had after that ofttimes reiterated the same promise.

This I••ventory being finished, the Alcaide took me by the hand, and led me bare-headed into a little Cell of ten foot square, where I was shut up all alone, without sight of any one, till the evening when they brought me my Supper. As I had eaten nothing either this or the foregoing day, I received very gladly what they gave to me; and this contributed to give me a little rest the following night. When they came the next day to give me wherewith to break my fast, I asked for my Books and my Combs; but I soon understood that they gave the first to no body, not even the Breviary to Priests; and that the second were no longer necessary to me, my hair being immediately cut off; which is done to all the Prisoners of what condition or sex soever, the first day that they enter into these Holy Prisons, or on the morrow at the latest.

I must here for some time interrupt the account of what particularly respects my self, to describe succinctly this House, with the Orders and Formalities that are observed in it.