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. XII. (Book 12)

In what manner the Officers of Inquisition behave themselves to∣wards the Prisoners.

AS All the Prisoners are seperated, and that it seldom happens that two are put together, four persons are more than sufficient to guard two hundred. They cause a perpetual silence to be in the Inquisition; and those who would lament themselves, weep, or even pray to God too loud, put themselves in danger of receiving blows, with a Switch, from the Guards; who at the least noise which they hear, run to the place whence it cometh to give them notice to be silent; and if Obedi∣ence be wanting to the second command, they open the Doors, and beat the Prisoners without mercy; which serveth not only to correct those which they chastize in this manner, but also to terrifie the rest, who all hear the cries and the blows, by reason of the profound silence which is observed every where. The Alcaide and the Guards are con∣tinually in the Galleries, and they lye there all night.

The Inquisitor, accompanied with a Secretary and an Interpreter, visiteth all the Prisoners from two to two months, or thereabouts, for to ask them if they want any thing; whether their Meat be brought to them at the prescribed hours, and whether they have not any complaints

to make against the Officers which are about them. As soon as answer is made upon these 3 Articles they immediately shut the door. In truth these Visits are made only to set forth that Justice and Goodness whereof they make Oftentation in this Tribunal, but produce not the least profit or assistance to the Prisoners who make their Complaints, since thay are not at all the more kindly treated. Those among the Prisoners who possess any proper Goods, are no whit better treated than those who have none; and they furnish to the last necessaries from what is confisca∣ted from the others. For the Holy Office very seldom fails to confiscate all the Goods, moveable and immoveable, of those who have the misfor∣tune to fall into thier hands.