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-■\ ^.- ..■^.■;, *'_ '- \i'

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ft-i

AWFUL DISCLOSURES

:ii^j^-n.T A. is^ o 2sr I'

■MiM .tw

AWFUL DISCLOSURES

MARIA MONK;

OR,

THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF A
NUN'S LIFE IN A CONVENT
EXPOSED I '

ILLUSTRATED WITH UPWARDS OF
FORTV BNGRAVINGS. • . ♦

MANCHESTER I
MILNER AND COMPANY, ii DYCHE STREET.

m-rfh

i>i^I£:jf\a.ob.

jV«<o«

It u to b6 hoped that the reader of the ensuing narrative will not
■appoM that it it a fiction, or that the scenes and persons thai; I
have delineated, had not a real existenoe. It is also desired, that
the author of this volume may be regarded not as a Toluntarjr par-
ticipator in the very f^niilty transactions which are described ; but
receive sympathy for ihe trials which she has endured, and the
pectiliar situation in which h>;r past experience, and escape from
the power of the Superior of the Hotel Dien Nunnery, at Montreal,
and the snares of the &oman Priests in Canada, have left her.

My feelings are frequoatly distressed and agitated by the recol-
lection of what I htivt» passed through ; and by night and day I have
little peace of mm '1, and few periods ofoalm and pleasing reflection.
Futurity also appears uncertain. I know not what reception this
little work may meet with, and what will be the efTect of its publi-
oatiou here or in Canada, among strangers, friends, or enemies. 1
have given the world the truth, bo far an I have gone, on subjects
of which I am told they are generally ifjpK/rant ; and I feel perfect
confidence, that any facts which may yet be discovered, will con-
firm my words whenever they can be obtained. Whoever shall ex-
plore the Hotel Dieu Nunnery at Montreal, will find unquestion-
able evidence that the descriptions of the interior of that edifice,
given in this book, were furnished by one familiar with them ; for
whatever alterations may be attempted, there are changes which no
mason or carpenter can make md effectually conceal ; and therefore
there mnst be plentifal evidenoe in that Institution, of the truth of
mj daucnptioii. ^

lOlCG'lL

mcfAom

I t

Than «r» Urlng witzit«M», al«o, who <m|M to b« m«4« tb ipMk.
withoat ftu of paiunoM, tortorot, ud daath, aad poiwiblT th«ir
tostimony at mbo fatoro timo, nuy bo oddad, to oonflrm mj tuto-
moDto. Thort trt witnoMM I should grmxlj rejoioe to mo tt liber-
ty ; or nthtr then loere. Are they liTing nov f or will thoy bo
ponnittod to Uto afkor the Priosta and Saponont hare seen this
book } Perhapa the wretched nana in the oeiU ha?o already tnlfer*
od for my aake— p«rbapa Jane Kay haa been ailanoad for ever, or
will be mnrderod, before «he haa time to md hn uoat important
uHtimony to mine.

Bat speedy death in relation only to this world, can be no in*(uit
oulamity to those who lead the life of a nun. The mere recollection
of it always makes me miflerable. It would distress the reader,
should I repeat the dreams with which I am oftcu terrified at nigbt ;
for I sometimes fancy myself pursued by the worst enemies ; fre-
quently I seem as if again shut up in the Convent ; often I imagine
myself present at the repetition of the worst scenes that I haye
hinted at or described. Sometimes I stand by Uie secret plaoe of
interment in the cellar ; sometimes I think I can hear the shrieka
of the helpless females in the hands of atrocious men ; and some-
times almost seem actually to look aguiu upon the calm and placid
features of St. Frances, as she appeared when surrounded by her
murderers.

I cannot banish the scenes and character of this book from my
memory. To me it can never appear like an arousing fablv, or lose
its interest and importance. The story is one which is continually
before me, and must return fresh to my mind, with painful emo-
tions, as long as I live. With time, and Christian instruction, an<t
the sympathy and examples of the wise and good, I hope to leant
submissively to bear whatever trials are appointed me, and to im-
prove under them all.

Impressed as I continually am with the frightful reality of the
painful communications that I have made in this volume, I can
ody offer to all persons who may doubt or disbelieve my statements,
these two things : —

Permit me to go through the Hotel Dieu Nunnery at Montreal,
with some impartial ladiea and gentlemen, that they may compare
wy aeooant with the interior parts of the building, into which no
p«aiinna but the Roman Bishop and Priests are ever admitted : and
U ttwf d* nol ftad say deseii|Ntioa trao, then discard me aa an im*

nrnwAOE.

pnttnt. Brini; me h«fnr« % eoort of Jnatiee — there I am wflliiif tt
mret Latargua, Ihifrtme, Phelan^ Bonim, tnd Riehards^ tad
th«iT wicked compaiuoai, with the Superior, and any of the nuii«|
before a thoQMuid men,

HABUMONK.
If no rofk, Januaty 11, 1836.

AWFUL DISCLOSURES

mAH7>T mOOLLBOnONS — KABLT UTB — KBLIOIOUS BDITOATIOll
«K(»J.BOTBI> — FIB8T SCHOOL — ^BMTKAKCni INTO THX SOHOOZt
OP THB CON^^iLBGATTOmAL N17KNX&T — BBIB7 AOOOUKT OV
THB irUimBKrBg m MONTRBAIi — THB OONORBOATIOlfAIt

KtlNWBRY — TltE BLACK JCTJNKBRT — THB OBBT KDNNBKT

PTTBLXO aB8PBl-r FOR TUBJKB INSTITUTIONS — INSTBUOTIOMfr
RBCB17BD — THB QATBCHISM — THB BIBIiB.

My parents were both from Scotland, bnt had been resident
in the Lower Canada some time before their marriage,
which took place in Montreal, and in that city I have spent
mo«t of my life. I was born at St. John's, where they liv-
&i for a short time. My fatlier was an oflBoer under the
Britisli Government, and my mother has enjoyed a pension
on that a«x;ount ever since his death.

According to my earliest recollections, he was attentive
to his lamily, and had a peculiar passage from the Bible,
whjch iiium occurred to me in afttjr life. T may very pro-
bhbly liave been taught by him, as after his death 1 did not
retioilect to have rfxeived any instruction at home, and wsui
cot t^vtin broii^iit up tu lotid tht) ISoiipturts ; my mothar,

Awyri. DiMLonrxfffl or mar^a wow«.

h '*

although nominally a Frotestajit, not being aociurtomed to
pay attention to her children. She whm rather inclined to
think well of the Oatholios, and often attended their
ohurchet. To my want of religiooii inatruotion at home,
and the ignoranoa of my Greater and my duty, which waa
its natural effect, I think I can trace my introduction to
eonvent8, and the loanea which I am to deecrihe in the fol"
lowing narr&tive.

When about ox or seven years of age, I went to echool
to a Mr. Workman, a Protestant, who taught in Sacrament
Street, and remained several months. Thai-e I learned to
read and write, and arithmetic as far as diviHion. All thu
progfress I ever made in those branches was gained in that
school, as I have never improved in any of them since.

A number of g^la of my acquaintance went to school to
the nuns of the Congregational Nimnery, or Sisters of
Charity, as they are sometimes called. The schools taught
by them are perhaps more numerous than some of my
readers may imagine. Nuns are sent out from that con-
vent to many of the towns and villages of Canada to teach
small schools ; and some of them are eRtablished as instruc-
tresses in different parts of the United States. Wlien I
was about ten years
old, my mother ask-
ed me one day if I
should like to learn
to read and write
French, and then I
began to think sen*
ously of attending
the school in the
Congregational
Nunnery. I had
already some ac-
quaintance with that
]angua«:e, sufficient
lo iqpea^ it a It^

^tAJUA MOKi vrx) na mothjul

AWm. OTKILOBTTIBIIIB OV MAUXA MOHK.

Itemed to
nclined to
ded their
at home,
irhich waa
luction to
n thefol*

to school
Jacrament
learned to
. Ailthu
»d in that
dnoe.
ochool to
SiBten ol
>Ib tanght
16 of my
that con-
to teach
instruc-
When I

M I heard it erery day, and my mother knew nmnnthing
of it

I have a distinot reoollection of my ftret entraaoe Into
the Nnnnery ; and the day wae an important one in my lifa,
as on it commenced my aoqnaintance with a oony«nt. I
was conducted by some of my young friends along Notre
Dame street, till we reached the gate, Entering that, we
walked some distance along the side of a building towards
a chapel, until we reached a door, stopped, and rung a bell.
This was soon opened, and entering, we proceeded through
a long covered passage till we took a short turn to the left,
soun after which we reached the door of th<^ school-room.
On my entTanr«, the Superior met me, and told me first of
all that I must dip my fingers into the holy water at her
door, cross myself, and say a short prayer ; and this she
told me was always reqmred of Protestant as wall as Oa-
tholjc children.

There were about fifty g^irls in the school, and the nuns
professed to teach something of reading, writing, arithme-
tic, and geography. The methods, however, were very im-
perfect, and little attention was devoted to them, the time
being in a great degree engrossed with lessons in needle-
work, which was performed with much skill. The nuns
had no very regular partA assigned them in the manage-
ment of the scJiools. They were rather rough and unpo-
lished in their manners, often exclaiming, ' C'est un menti,'
(that's a lie,) and ' mon Dieu,* (my Gk>d,) on the most tri-
vial occasions. Their writing was quite poor, and it was
not uncommon for them to put a capital letter in the mid-
dle of a word. The only book of geography which we stu-
died, was a catechism of geography, from which we learnt
by hivixt a few questions and answers. W© were sometimes
referred to a map, but it was only to point out Montreal or
Quebec, or some other prominent name, while we had no
instruction beyond.

It may be neoossary, for the information of some of my
read en, to mention, that tharo kq Ihxes distinct Ooxnmti

AWWL DIBOLOflUXURS OV MAJD-IA. MOIfX.

in Montreal, all of different kinda — ^tiiat is, fonnded on dif*
f erent plans, and governed by diflerait ralM. Tkmx namas
am as foUows :—

1. The Congregational NtmneTy.

%. The Black Nunnery, or Oonrent of 8ist«r Bonrgeoiae.

8. The Grey Nunnery.

The first of these prof eases to be devoted entirely to tJie
education of girls. It would require, however, only a pro-
per examination to prove, that with the exception of nee-
dle-work, hardly anything is taught excepting prayer and
catechism ; the inBtruction in reading, writing, &o., in fact,
amounting to very little, and often to nothing. This Con-
vent is adjacent to the next to be spoken of, being Beparat-
ed from it only by a wall. The second professes to be a
charitable institution for the care of the sick, and the sup-
ply of bread and medicines for the poor ; and something is
done in these departments of charity, although but an in-

M-'-^^ ^^'

! it

>m& i{j&o^ d? 3iu» Qomf^^isaxTicmAX, linnnspmv*

if '

AwyvL mmjiAmtrtJiB of masxa moitk.

ledandif.
Mxtuunm

mrgeoim.

Biy to the
1I7 a pro-
m of nee-
rayerand
.f in fact,
liiiOon-

separat-
8 to boa

the aup-
ething is
lit an in-

■tf-J^^sSJ^

.^iOii^

tigniflcant amount compared with the 8Lu> ot the hnildingi
and the number of inmatee.

The Grey Nonsiury, which u ffituated in a distant part
of the city, u alfio a large edifice, containing depturtmautN
for the care of iuaane penons and fouudlinjirfi. With thia,
bovreTer, I have leas porsonal acquaintmce than with ei-
ther of the otheri. I have often sueii two of the Grey
nuns, and know their rtdea, as well aa those of the Congre-
gational Nunnery ; they do not oontine them always within
thuir walla, like thoM of the Black JN'unnery. Theee two
Convents have their common names (Black and Grey) from
the oolours of the dresses worn by their inmates.

In all these thrue Convents there are certain apartments
into which strangers can gain admittance, but otheri« from
which they are always excluded. In all, large quantities
of various omomeuts
are made by the nuntt,
which are exposed for
sale in the OrrMuitnt
Booms, HJid afford lar^e
pecxmiary receipts eve-
ry year, which coatxi*
hute much to their in*
come. In these rooms,
visitors often purchase
such things as please
them, from some of
the old and confiden-
tial nuns who have the
charge of them.

From all that appears to the public eye, the nuns of these
Convents are devoted to the charitable object appropriated
to each, the labour of making diiferent articlcH known to
be manufaotored by them, and the religious observances,
which oooupy a large portion of their time. They are re-
garded with much reepeot by the people at large ; and now
And then when a sovioe takei the veil, she is supposed to

8ALB m THB OHNAM£N^ H(3()»I8.

▲WTUL DuoiiONvrjutt ov XJLEXA Momu

retire from fhe temptatioiu and troubles of thi« world Into
• «t»te of holy seclnflion, where, by prayer, etUl'moruflc*-
tion, and good deeds, the prepares herseli ton heavea.
BomotimeH the Superior of a Ocmyent obtaiiu the charaotw
of working miraoles : and when saoh an one dies, it is pub-
lished through the country, and crowds throng the Oon-
▼ent, who think indulgenceH are to be deriyed from bits of
her clothes and other things she has poaseMNxi ; and many
hATO sent articles to be tonchad to her bed or chair, in
which a degree of Tirtue is thought to rtoziain. I used to
participate in such ideas and feelings, and began by de-
grees to look npon a nun as the happiest of women, and a
Convent as the most paaceful, holy, and delightful place of
abode. It is true, some painit ware taken to impress such
views upon me. Some of the priests of the Seminary of-
ten Tisitud the Congregation Nunnery, and both oatechiaud
and talktid with us on rbiigion. The Superior of the BliKsk
Nunnery adjoining, also, occasionally came mto the school,
and enlarged on the advantage we enjoyed in having such
teachers, and dropped something now and then relating to
her own convent, calculated to make us uuterudn the high-
est ideas of it, and make us sometimes think of the powi-
bility of getting into it.

Among the instructions given to us by the priests, some
of the most pointed were directed against the Frotestant
Bible. They often enlarged upon the evil tendency of that
book, and told us that but for it many a soul condemned to
hell, and sufFering eternal punishment, might have been in
happiness. They could not say anything in its favour ;
for that would be speaking against religion and against
Qod. They warned us against its woe, and represented it
as a thmg very dangerous to our souls. In confirmation
of this, they would repeat some of the answers taught ua
at catechism ; a few of which I will here give. We had
little catechisms, (' Les Petits Oatechismes') put into our
bands to stady ; but the priests soon began to teach us a
Ml of answers, which were not to be found in our

■ <s

AirvoL Diacnorjsas o> majOa moml

tM^)k(i, from «ome of which I hare raoeiTod now ideM, and
)^i)t, as 1 thought, important light on religious labjictSi
which confirmed me more in my belief in the Roman Ga-
thobo doctrines. Those queitione and answers I can still
recall with tolerable accuracy, and some of them I will add
here. I never ha^e read them, as we wera taught them
only by word of mouth.

' Quettion. Pourquoi le boa Diea n*a pas fail tous le«
commandemena ?* — ' Setponu. Parce que V honime n'est
pas ai fort qu*il pent garder tout see oommandemens.'

* Question. Why did not Qod make aU the oommand-
mentsi"— * Antwer. Because man is not strong enough to
keep them.'

And another : * Q. Pourquoi 1' homme ne lit pas 1* Evan-
gilo P' — * A. Paroe que 1' esprit de 1* homme est trop borne
et trop faible pour oomprendre qu'est ce que Dieu a ^orit'

* Q, Why are men not to read the New Testament .?'•
* A . Because tiie mind of r^^m is too limited and weak to
imderstand what God Jim written.*

These questions and answers are not to be found in the
common catechisms in use in Montreal and other places
where I have been, but all the children in the Congrega-
tional Nunnery were taught them, and many more not
found in these books.

:*^j

'^■..

I (

'y\

" . 'i :

AwruL Dtaahtmnum ov majcia mojkm.

Oliapter XX.

otmoRieATioirAL mnnnniT — stoby told bt a fbli^ow rrr.

91h AOAIMST A PKIBST— OTHSE IBTOUXX0 — PRmTf MABT —
0ON7B8flIOir TO FATHS& BI0HAKD8— MT SrBSBQtJBNT 0<'ll>*

waaaiov — msTKUonoNi in thb oatbcmiuc.

Thbbb was a girl Uiirteen yean old whom I knew in the
school, who Tended in the neighbourhood ol my mother,
and with whom I had been familiar. Hhe told me one day
at lohool, ol the oondnct of a prieat with her at confeseion.
at which I was astonished. It was of so criminal and
shameful a nature, I could hardly belieye it, and yet I had
so much confidence that she spoke the truth, tiiat I could
not discredit it.

She was partly persuaded by the priest to believe that he
could not sin, bocause he was a priesc, and that anyihmg
he did to her would sanctify her ; and yet she seemed some,
whut doubtftii how she should act. A priest, she had beex.
told by him, is a holy man, and appointed to a holy otiice,
and therefore what wuuld be wicked in other men, could
not be so in him. She told me she had informed her mu«
ther of it, who expressed no anger nor disapprobation ; but
only enjoined it upon her not to speak of it ; and remarked
to her, as priests were not like men, but holy, and sent to
instruct and save us, whatever they did was right.

I afterwards confessed to the priest that I had heard the
story, and had a penance to perform for indulging a sinful
ooziomty in making inquiries ; and the girl had another for
communicating it. I afterwards learnt that other children
had been treated in the same manner, and also of (dmilar
proceedings.

Indeed it was not long before mch language was usod to
ne, and I well remembor how my Tiews of right and wrong

■■'■■■' \

▲WTTTL DINOLOSVItVS OF MAHIA VOmC.

T 4 niLi.ow rv-
•PRmmr mabt —

VBUmnVVHT OitS'

n I knew in the
ol my mother,
told me one day
er ftt confession.
K> cximinal and
t, and yet I had
th, that I could

» believe that he
that unythtng
e seemed some-
it, she had heet.
a holy ot&ue,
er men, could
rmed her mu-
robation ; but
and remarked
ly, and sent to
ight. '
had heard the
asinful
another for
ther children
of aimilur

was ttsod to
|ht and wrong ti

were shaken by it. Another girl at the school, from «
place above Montreal, called the Lao, told me the foUow«
ing story of what had occurred recently in that vicinity.
A young squaw, called La Belle Marie, (pretty Mary,) had
been seen going to confession at the house of the priest,
who lived a little out of the village. La Belle Mane waa
afterwards missed, and her murdered body was found in
the river. A knife was also found bearing the priest's
name. Great indignation was excited among the Indians,
and the priest immediately absconded, and was never heai-d
from. A note was found on his table addressed to him,
telling him to fly, if he was g^ty.

It was supposed that the priest was fearful that his con-
duct might be betrayed by this young female ; and he un-
dertook to clear himself by killing her.

These stories struck me with surprise at first, but I gradu-
ally began to feel differently, even supposing them true,
and to look upon the priests as men incapable of sin ; be-
sides, when I first went to confess, which I did to Father
Richards in the old French church, since taken down, I
heard nothing improper ; and it was not until I had been
several times that the priests became more and more bold,
and were at length indecent in their questions, and even in
their conduct when I confessed to them in the Sacristie.
This subject, I believe, is not understood nor suspected
among Protestants ; and it is not my intention to speak
of it very particularly, because it is impossible to do so
without saying things both shameful and demoralizing.

I will only say here, that when quite a child, I heard
from the mouths of the priests at confession what I cannot
repeat, with treatment corresponding ; and several females
in Canada have assured me that they have repeatedly, and
indeed reg^ularly, been required to answer the same and other
like questions, many of which present to the mind deeds
which the most iniquitous and corrupt heart could hardly
invent.

There was a freqiumt chaDge of teatihers in the school (4

AWWTTL DIBOLOSUItKfl OW MASTA MOITK.

the ss annery, and no rof^lar system was ptinaed in oar in*
•traction. There were many nuns who oame and went
while I was there, being £r©(iuently called in and out with-
oat any perceptible reason. They supply school teachers
to many of the country towns, usually two to each of the
towns with which I was acquainted, besides sending Sisters
of Charity to many parts of the United States. Among
those whom I saw most was Saint Patrick, an old woman
for fr nan, that is about forty, Tery ignorant and gross in
her manners, with quite a beard on her face, and very cross
and disagreeable. She was sometimes our teacher in sew-
ing, and was appointed to keep order among us. We were
allowed to enter only a few of the rooms in the Congrega-
tional Nunnery, although it was not considered one of the
•edaded Convents.

In the Black Nunnery, which is very near the Congre-
gational, is aa hospital for sick people from the city ; and
■ometimes some of oar boarders, such as were indisposed,
were sent there to be cored. I was once taken ill myself
■nd sent there, where I remained a few days.

There were beds enough for a considerable number more.
A physician attended it daily, and there are a number ci
the veiled nuns of that Convent who spend most of their
time there.

These would also sometin^e read lectures and repeat
prayeni to us.

After I had been in the Congregational Nunnery about
two years, I left it, and attended several drSerent schools
for a short time. But I soon became dissatisfied, having
many and severe trials to endure at home, which my feel-
ings vnll not allow me to describe ; and as my Catholic ac-
quaintances had often spoken to me in favour of their faith,
I was inclined to believe it true, although, as I before said,
I knew little of any religion. While out of the nunnery,
I saw notiiing of religion. If I had, I believe I should
Vfiiver have thought of beooming a nun.

»ar in*

L w«nt
5 with*
lachert
of the
Sistert
Aiinong
iroman
prois in
ry cross '
in sew-
^e were
ngrega-
le of the

Congre-
ity; and
iisposed,
1 myself

ler more.

imber ol

of their

repeat

ahont
schools
L having
I my feel*
lolic ac-
leir faith,
fore said,
Inunneryt
I should

AWFUL BncLoamm ov ma&u movk.

Ob.apt«r XXX.

■LAOS OTTKNKKT — PaHi^A&ATlOHN TU HBCOMB ▲ JfOTlCTB IM
THB JIJLACX. MCMMIKT — KNTHAMCJI— UUOUl'ATIONS OJP THI
MOVICB* — THB ▲PjL&TMJDfTM TO WHICH XHBT HAS) ACCBHS
— FIK8T nfTBaTUW WITH /AJOI KAT — mTTBRANUB rOR
THB 8UPBB.IOa — ▲ WOKUBRFUL KVH — HBK RBLiaUBS —
THB HULT euuO SHBPKBUO OR, NAMBLRSB VVV — CON-
FBSSIUN OF MOVICBB.

At len^^ I determined to become a Black Nun, and culled
upon one of the oldest priests in the Seminary, to whom I
made known my intention. "

The old priest to whom I applied was Father Rooqne.
He is still aliva. He was at that time the oldest priest in
the seminAry, and carried the Bon Dieu, GK)od God, as the
sacramental wafer is called. When going to administer it
in any country place, he used to ride with a man before him,
who rang a bell as a signal. When the Canadians heard
it, whooH habitations he passed, they would oome and pros-
trate themselres to the earth, worshipping it as a God. He
was a man of great ago, and wore
large curls, so that he somewhat
resembled his predecessor, Father
Boue. He was at that time at the
head of the Seminary. This In-
stitution is a large edifice, situated
near the Congregational and Black
Nunneries, being on the east side
of Notre Dame Street. It is the
general rendeavous and centre of
all the priests in the diatrict of
Montreal, and I have been told,
foppiitis all the ooontary an far down fathsv mooQVi.

m AWVT7L DIBC7.O017UM OV M4kIA MONX.

M the ThrM RJT«n, which place, I helioTtt, fi nndrtr the
charii^ of Uitt Seminary of Quebec. About one hondrt^ti
and fifty prieeta are connected with that at Montreal, aa
eyery small place has one priest, and a number of larger
ones have two.

Father Bocqne promised to oonverM with the Superior
of the Oonvent, and proposed my calliu/i|; again at the end
of two weeks, at which time I visitbd the tieminary again,
and was introduced by him to the Superior of the Black
Nunnery. She told me she must make some inquiries, be-
fore she could give me a decided answer, and proposed to
me to take up my abode a few days at the house of a French
family in St. Lawrence suburbs, a distant part of the city.
Here I remained about a fortnight ; during which time I
formed soma acquaintance with the family, particularly
with the mistress of the house, who was a devoted Papist, and
had a high respect for the Superior, with whom she stood
on good terms.

At length, on Saturday morning about ten o'clock, I call*
ed, and was admitted into the Black Nunnery as a novice,
much to my Hatisfaction, for I had a high idea of life in a
Convent, secluded, as I supposed the inmates to be, from
the world and all its evil influences, and assured of everlast-
ing happiness in heaven. The Superior received me, and
conducted me into a large room, where the novices, who are
called in French, Postulantes, were assembled, and engag-
ed in their customary occupation of sewing.

Here were about forty of them, and they were collected
in groups in difEerent parts of the room, chiefly near the
windows ; but in each group was found one of the veiled
nuns of the convent, whose abode was in the interior apart-
ments, to which no novice was to be admitted. As we en-
tered, the Superir - informed the assembly that a new no-
Tioa had come, and she desired any one present who might
have known me in the world to signify it.

Two Miss Feugnees, and a Misa Howard from Yermtmtk
iprtto hatl been m^ f eUow.pupils m the Ooiig^regatinntu Nim*

)T the
ttdru*!
aI, »■
larger

periov '
Le end
again,

Black
j8, be-
tOBod to
French
le city.

time I
icnlarly
pi0t,and
he stood

,IcaU.

novice,

ife in a

)e, from

Bverlaat-

nxe, and

who are
engag-

ollected
lear the
^e veiled
3r apart-
I we en-
l new no-
lo might

Termont,

AinrxTL Dirtotonimvfi or makia monjh SI

nery, immediately recogni^i 1 me. I was then pltu^ in
one of the groupi at a distance from thcin, and fumished
by a nun, called Sainte Olotilde, with nuiioi jula to make a
purse, Buch as prieetB Mm to carry the comiecrated wafer
in, when they go to administer the Bacrameut to the sick.
I well remember my feelings at that time, sitting among a
number of strangers, and expecting with painful anxiety
the arrival of the dinner-hour. Then, as I knew, cere-
monies were to be performed, though for which I was but
ill prepared, as I had not yet heard the rules by which I
WHS to be governed, and knew nothing of the forms to be
repeated in the daily exercises, except the creed in Latin,
and that imperfectly. This was during the time of recrea*
tion, as it is caUed. The only recreation there allowed,
however, is that of the mind, and of this there is but little.
We were kept at work, and permitted to speak with each
other only in hearing of the old nims who sat by us. We
proceeded to dinner in couples, and ate in silence while a
lecture was read.

The novices had access to only eight of the apartments
of the Convent ; and whatever else we wished to know, we
could only conjecture. The sleeping room was in the se-
cond story, at the end of the western wing. The beds
were placed in rows, without curtains or anything else to
obstruct the view ; and in one corner was a small room par-
titioned off, in which was the bed of a night-watch, that
is, the old nun who was appointed to ovursee ub for the
night. In each side of the partition were two holes,
through which she could look out upon us whenever she
pleased. Her bed was a little raised above the level of the
others. There was a lamp hung in the middle of our
chamber, which showed everything to hor very distinctly ;
and as she had no light in her little room, we never could
perceive whether she was awake or asleep. As we knew
that the slightest deviation from the rules would expose us
to her observation as well as to that of our oompanious, in
whom it waM a virtue to betray one another's tanktii^ oonti-

r,i»

. I

! i

iwim mRCLOsrniER of na^ria koxk.

niial exposure to lufler what I di«liked. and had my mind
occupied in thinking of what I wan to do ne^rt, and what 1
must avoid. Though I soon learned the mies and cere-
monies we had to pass, which wore many, and we had to
be rery particular in their observance, we were employed
in different kinds of work while 1 was a novice. The most
beautiful specimen of the nun's manufacture which I saw,
was a rich carpet made of fine worsted, which had been be-
gun before my acquaintance with the Convent, and was
finished while I was there. This was sent as a present to
the King of England, as an expression of gratitude for the
money annually received from the government. It was
about forty yards in length, and very handsome. We were
ignorant of the amount of money thus received. The Con-
vent of the Qrey Nuns has also received funds from the
geveminent, though on some account or other, had not for
several years.

T was sitting by a window at one time with a girl nam-
ed Jane M'Coy, when one of the old nuns came up and
spoke to us in a tone of liveliness and kindness, which
seemed strange in a place where everything appeared so
cold and reserved. Some remarks which she made were
evidently intended to cheer and encourage me, and made
me think that she felt some interest in me. I do not re-
collect what she said, but I remember it gave me pleasure.
I also remember that her nuumers struck me singularly.
She was rather old for a nun— that is, probably thirty ; her
figure large, her face wrinkled, and her dress carolsss. She
seemed also to be under less restraint than the others, and
this I afterwards found was the case. She sometimes even
sot the rules at defiance. She would speak aloud when si-
lence was required, and sometimes walk about when she
ought to have kept her place : she would even say and do
things on purpose to make us laugh, and, although often
blamed for her conduct, had her offences frequently paiised
over, when others would have been puAished with pen-
anctis.

AWPTJL DISCLOSUEES OP MARIA MONK.

r mixid
vhaX 1
i cere-
had to
iployed
le most
I saw,
een be-
nd was
Bseut to
for the
It was
N'q were
he Con-
rom the
I not for

I learnt that this woman had always been singular. She
never would consent to take a saint's name on receiving the
veil, and had always been known by her own, which was
Jane Eay. Her irregularities were found to be numerous,
and penances were of so little use in governing her, that
she was pitied by some, who thought her partially insane.
She was, therefore, commonly spoken of as mad Jane Ray ;
and when she committed a fault, it was apologized for by
the Superior or other nuns, on the gxound that #'he did not
know what she did. .

The occupation of a novice in the Black Nu...jery are not
•nch fus some of our readers may suppose. They are not
employed in studying the higher branches of education :
they are not offered any advantages for storing their minds,
or polishing their manners ; they are not taught even read^i
ing, writing, or arithmetic ; much less any of the more ad-
vanced branches of knowledge. My time was chiefly em<
ployed, at first, in work and prayers. It is true, during
the last year I studied a great deal, and was required to
work but very little ; but it was the study of prayers in
French and Latin, which I had merely to commit to me-
mory, to prepare for the easy repetition of them on my re-
ception, and after I should be admitted as a nun.

Among the wonderful events which had happened in the
Convent, that of the sudden conversion of a gay young
lady of the city into a nun appeared to me one of the most
remarkable. The story which I first heard while a novice,
made a deep impression upon my mind. It was nearly as
follows :

The daughter of a wealthy oitizen of Montreal was paM-
ing the churoh of Bon Seoours one evening, on her way to
a ball, when she was suddenly thrown down upon the steps
or near the door, and received a severe shock. She was
taken up, and removed first, I think, into the church, but
soon into the Black Nunnery, which she determined to
join afi a nxm ; instead, however, of being required to pass
through a long novitiate, (which usually oaupies aboat

is;

AWSTX DISCLOSrBKS OF MJIRIA MONK.

two years and a half, and is abridged only where the char-
acter is peculiarly exemplary and devout,) she was permit-
ted to take the veil without delay, being declared by God
to a priest to be in a state of sanctity. The meaning of
this expression ib, that she was a real saint, and already in
a great measure raised above the world and its influences,
and incapable of sinning ; possessing the power of interces-
■ion, and a proper object to be addressed in prayer. This
remarkable individual, I was further informed, was still in
the Convent, though I never was allowed to see her ; she
did not mingle with the other nuns, either at work, wor-
ship, or meals ; for she had no need of food, and not only
her soul, but her body, was in heaven a great part of her
time. What added, if possible, to the reverence and mys-
terious awe with vrhich I thought of her, was the fact I
leamud, that she had no name. The titles used in speaking
of her were, the holy saint, reverend mother, or saint bou
pasteur, (the holy good shepherd.)

It is wonderful that we could have carried our reverence
for the Superior so far as we did, although it was the direct
tendency of many instructions and regulations, indeed of
the whole system, to permit, even to foster, a superstitious
regard for her. One of us was occasionally called into her
room to cut her naUs, or dress her hair ; and we would
often collect the clippings, and distribute them to each
other, or preserve them with the utmost care. I once pick-
ed up all her stray hairs I could find after combing her
head, bound them together, and kept them for some time,
until she told me I was not worthy to pos8ess things ho
sacred. Jane M'Coy and I were once sent to alter a dress
for the Superior. I gathered up all the bits of thread, made
a little bag, and put them into it for safe preservation.
This I wore a long time round my neck, so long, indeed,
that I wore out a number of strings, which I remember I
had replaced with new ones. 1 believed it to possess the
power of removing pain, and have often prayed to it to cure
Uie tooth-ache, &o. Jane Hay sometimes profestiod to out-

AWTTTL JDIfKlT,OSrKli) OT MABIA MONK.

do as all in devotion to the Superior, and would pick up the
feathers after making her bed. These she would distribute
among us, saying, ' When the Superior dies, relics will be-
gin to grow scarce, and you had better supply yourselves
in season.* Then she would treat the whole matter in some
way to turn it into ridicule. Equally contradictory would
she appear, when occasionally she would obtain leave from
her Superior to tell her dreams. With a serious face,
which sometimes imposed upon all of us, and made liS half
believe she was in a perfect state of sanctity, she would
narrate in French some unaccountable vision which she
said she had enjoyed ; then turning round, would say,
' There are some who do not imderstaud me ; you all ought
to be informed.* And then she would say something totally
different in English, which put us to the greatest agony for
fear of laughing. Sometimes she would say she expected
to be Superior herself one of those days, and other things
which I have not room to repeat.

While I was in the Congregational Nunnery, I had gone
to the parish church whenever I was to confess, for al-
though the nuns had a private conf ession^room in the build-
ing, the boarders were taken in parties through the streets,
on different days, by some of the nuns, to confess in the
church ; but in the Black Nunnery, as we had a chapol,
and priests attending in the confessionals, we never left the
building.

Our confessions there as novices were always performed
in one way, so that it may be sufacient to describe a single
case. Those of us who were to confess at a particular time,
took our places on our knees near the oonfession-boz, and,
after having repeated a nimiber of prayers, &c., prescribed
in our book, came up one at a time and kneeled beside a
fine wooden lattice-work, which entirely separated the con-
fessor from us, yet permitted us to place our faces almost to
his ear, and nearly concealed his countenance from our
view, even when so near. I recollect how the pri^tji used

*il

i !

AWWXJf SI80LO8FRXR 07 MARIA MONK.

to recline iheir heada on one side, and often corered their
faces with their handkerchiefs, while they heard me confess
my sins, and put questions to mo, which were often of the
most improper and revolting nature, naming crimes hoth
unthought of and inhuman. Still, strange as it may seem,
I was persuaded to believe that all this was their dut>» or
at least that it was done without sin.

Veiled nuns would often appear in the chapel at confes-
sion ; though, as I understood, they generally confessed in
private. Of the plan of their oonfession-rooms I had no
information ; but I supposed the ceremony to be conducted
much on the same plan as in the chapel and in the church,
vis., with a lattice interposed between the confessor and
the confessing.

Punishments were sometimes resorted to while I was a
novice, though but seldom. The first time I ever saw a
gag, was one day when a young novice had done something
to offend the Superior. This girl I always ha/^. txmipaiiaion
for, because she was very young, and an orphan. The Su-
perior sent for a gag, and expressed her regret at being
compelled, by the bad conduct of the child, to proceed to
such a pimishment ; after which she put it into her mouth,
so far as to keep it open, and then let it remain for som^
time before she took it out. There was a loathem strap
fastened to each end, and buckled to the back part of the
head.

Awwm. BiscLosTTMn or vabxa monk.

Ob.apter IV.

DIBPLSASKD WITH THK CONVIWT — LHTT IT — RI8IDBNCB AT ST.
DBNI8 — RBLICS — UABBIAOB — RKTURN TO THB BLACB. KUK-
NBKT — UBJBCTIONS MAOB BT 80MB NOVI0B8.

Aftbb I had been a novice four or five years, that ia, from
the time I commenoed ichool In the C!onvent, one day I
was treated by one of the nuns in a manner which displeas^
•d me, and because I expressed some resentment, I was
required to beg her pardon. Not being satisfied with this,
although I complied with the command, nor with the cold-
ness with which the Superior treated me, I determined to
quit the Convent at once, which I did without asking leave.
There would have been no obstacle to my departure, I pre-
sume, novice as I then was, if I had asked permission ; but
I was too much displeased to wait for that, and went home
without speaking to any one on the subject.

I soon after visited the town of St. Denis, where I saw
two young ladies with whom I had formerly been acquaint-
ed in Montreal, and one of them a former school-mate at
Mr. Workman's school. After some conversation with me,
and learning that I had known a lady who kept a school
in the place, they advised me to apply to her to be employ-
ed as her assistant teacher ; for she was then instructing
the government school in that place.

I visited her, and found her willing, and I engaged at
once as her assistant.

The government society paid her £20 a year ; she was
obliged to teach ten children gratuitously ; might have
fifteen pence a month, about a quarter of a dollar, for each
ten scholars more, and then she was at lib^ty, aocording
to the regulations, to demand as much as she pleased for
the other pupils. The oourse of indtruotion as required by

£8

AWflTL DTSCLOHi;&«S OJT MAJ&Il MONX.

the society, embraced only reading, writing, and what waa
called ciphering, though I think improperly. The only
books used were a spelling, rinstruction de la Jeunesse,
the Catholic New Testament, and 1' Histoire de Canada.
When these had been read through, in reg^ar succession,
the children were dismissed as having completed their edu-
cation. No difficulty is found in making the common
French Canadians content with such an amount of instruc-
tion as this ; on the contrary, it is often found very hard
indeed to prevail upon them to send their children at all,
for they say it takes too much of the love of God from them
to send them to school. The teacher strictly complied with
the requisitions of the society in whose employment she
was, and the Boman Catholic catechism was regularly
taught in the school, as much from choice, as from submis-
sion to the authority, as she was a strict Catholic. I had
brought with me the little bag before mentioned, in which
I had so long kept the clippings of the thiead left af tor
making a dress for the Superior. Such was my regard for
it, that I continued to wear it constantly round my neck,
and to feel the same reverence for its supposed virtues as
before. I occasionally had the tooth-ache during my stay
at St. Denis, and then always relied on the influence
of my little bag. On such occasions I would say
— * By the virtue of this bag may I be delivered from the
tooth-ache !' and I supposed that when it ceased it was
owing to that cause.

While engaged in this manner, I became acquainted with
a man who soon proposed marriage ; and, young and ignor-
ant of the world as I was, I heard his offers with favour.
On consulting with my friend, she expressed a friendly in-
terest to me, advised me against taking such a step, and
especially as I knew so little about the man, except that a
report was circulated unfavourable to his character. Un-
fortunately, I waa not wise enough to listen to her advice,
and hastily married. In a few weeks I had occasion to re-

AWVTTL DISOLOHUBBH Uf MAHIA SAOhlT^

pent of the itep I had taken, aa the report proved true — a
report which I thought juBtifled, and indeed required, our
•eparation. After I had been in St. Denis about three
months, finding myself thus situated, and not knowing
what else to do, I determined to return to the Convent, and
pursue my fonner intention of becoming a Black Nun,
could I gain admittance. Knowing the many inquiries
the Superior would make relative to me during my ab-
sence, before leaving St. Denis I agreed with the lady with
whom I had been associated as a teacher, (when she went
to Montreal, which she did very frequently) to say to the
Lady Superior I had been under her protection during my
absence, which would satisfy and stop further inquiry ; as
I was sensible, should they know I had been married I
should not gain admittance.

I soon left and returned to Montreal, and, on reaching
the city, I visited the Seminary, and in another interview
with the Superior of it, communicated my wish, and desir-
ed her to procure my re-admission as a novice. Little de-
lay occurred.

After leaving for a short time, she returned and told me
that the Superior of the Convent had consented, and I was
soon introduced into her presence.

She blamed me for my conduct in leaving the nunnery,
but told me that I ought to be ever grateful to my guar-
dian angel for taking care of me, unless prohibited by the
Superior ; and this she promised me. The money usually
required for the admission of novices had not been expect-
ed from me. I had been admitted the first time without
Any such requisition ; but now I chose to pay for my re-
admission. I knew that she was able to dispense with
such a demand as well in this as in the former case, and she
knew that I was not in possession of anything like the sum
required.

But I was bent on paying to the Nunnery, and acoiu-
toaxed to reoeive the doctrine often repeated to me before
t)keUi ti»ve, that whea th« adv^nfu^e pf the church wa» c^m*

f i

▲WFCTL DMOIiOHUKKH OV UAlUA MOmL

■ulted, tht itrpa tftkon w«gr« jtutiflnbio, l«t them he what
ih«7 would ; I therefoni resolred to obtain money on f aiae
pretencei, oonfldent that if all were known, I nhould be far
from diipleaaing the Sup^or. I went to the brigade- nia-
jor, and acked him to g^Te me the money payable to my
mother from her pemiion, which amounted to about thirty
dollari, and without questioning my authority to receiTO it
in her name, he gare it me.

From MTeral of their friends I obtadned small suma under
the name of loans, so that altogether I had tfoon raised a
number of pounds, with which I hastened to the Nunnery,
and deposited a part in the hands of the Superior. She re-
ceiTed the money with OTident satisfaction, though she
must hare kaown thai I could not hare obtained it honest*
ly ; and I was at once re-admitted as a novice.

Much to my gratif ^ tion, not a word fell from the lips of
any of my old associates in relation to my unceremonious
departure, nor my voluntary return. The Superior's or-
deors, I had not a doubt, had been explicitly laid down, and
they certainly were carefully obeyed, for I never heard an
allusion made to that subject during my subsequent stay in
the Convent, except that, when alone, the Superior would
sometimes say a little about it.

There were numbers of young ladies who entered awhile
aa novioes, and became weary or disgusted with some
things they observed, and remained but a short time. One
of my cousins, who lived at Lachine, named Heed, spent
about a fortnight in the Oonvent with me. She, however,
conceived such an antipathy to the priests, that she used
expressions which offended the Superior.

The first day that she attended mass, while at dinner
with us in full community, she said before lis all, * What a
rascal that priest was, to preach against his best friend !'

All stared at such an unusual exclamation, and some one
inquired what she meant.

* X say/ she oontinued, ' he has been preaching agalnat

iwhile
Bome

On«
spent
oyer,

used

AWFUL DI80L08U&KJ9 OF MARIA MONK.

•1

iimi who has givan him hu bread. Do yon suppose that il
there were no deril, there would be any priests P*

This bold young novice was immediately dismissed, and
in the afternoon we had a long sermon from the Superior
on the subject.

It happened that I one day gfot a leaf of an English Bi-
ble which had been brought into the Convent, wrapped
around some sewing silk, purchased at a store in the city.
For some reason or other, I determined to commit to me-
mory a chapter it contained, which I soon did. It is the
only chapter I ever learnt in the Bible, and I can now re-
peat it. It is the second of St. Matthew's gospel. ' Now
when Jesus was bom at Bethlehem in Judoa,* &o. It hap-
pened that I was observed reading the paper, and when the
nature of it was discovered I was condemned to do penanco
for my offence.

Great dislike to the Bible was shown by those who con-
versed with me about it, and several have remarked to me
at different times, that if it were not for that book, Catho-
lics would never be led to renonnoe their own faith.

I have heard passages read from the Evangile, relaxing
to the death of Christ ; the conversion of Paul ; a few chap-
ters from St. Matthew, and perhaps a few others. The
priests would also sometimes take a verse or two, and
preach from it. I have read St. Peter's life, but only in
the book called the * Lives of the Saints.' He, I under-
stood, has the keys of heaven and hell, and has founded
our church. As for Saint Paul, I remember, as I was
taught to understand it, that he was once a great persecu-
tor of the Boman Catholicit until he became convicted, and
confessed to one of the father confessors, I don't know
which. For who can expect to be forgiven, who does not
become a Catholic, and confess P

one

laixuit

AWriTL DiaOLOSVBJUl or MAAIA MOMSL

i i

Chiapter V.

KBCXITKD CONymMATION — PAINFUL rBHLING^ — 8PECIMBN8 <W
mSTBUOTIONS RBCBITKD ON THH BVBJRtT.

Thb day on which I received Confirmation was a distreea-
ing one to me. I believed the doctrine of the Eoman Ga>
tholics, and according to them I was guilty of three mortal
sins : concealing something at confession, sacrilege, in put-
ting the body of Christ in the sacrament at my feet, and
by receiving it while not in a state of grace ! and now I had
been led into all those sins in consequence of my marriage,
which I never had acknowledged, as it would have cut me
off from being admitted as a nun.

On the day, therefore, when I went to the church to be
confirmed with a number of others, I suffered extremely
from the reproaches of my conscience. I knew, a\ 'east I
believed, as I had been told, that a person who had been
anointed with the holy oil of confirmation on the forehead,
and dying in the state in which I was, would go do>vn to
hell, and, in the place where the oil had been rubbed, the
names of my sins would blaze out of my forehead ; these
would be a sign by which the devils would know me, and
would torment me the worse for them. I was thinking of
all this while I was sitting in the pew, waiting to receive
the oil. I felt, however, some consolation, as I often did
afterwards, when my sins came to my mind : and this con-
solation I derived from another doctrine of the church, viz.,
that a bishop could absolve me from all these sins any min-
ute before my death ; and I intended to confess them all to
a bishop before leaving the world. At length the moment
for administering of the * sacrament arrived, and a bell was
rung. Those who had oome to be confirmed had brought
tickets from their confeMors, and those were thrown into %

ihtob«
Temely
<eaat I
id been
:ehead,
own to
id, the
these
, and
ingol
■eceive
,en did
8 con-
, viz.,
min-
aUto
oment
lUwas
tught
into«

▲WFT7L DlflCLOSraSH OF 18 All A MONlK.

hAt, and carried around by a priest, who in turn handed
each to a bishop, by which he learned the name of each of
U8, hikI applied a little of the oil to the foreheads. Thi«
was immediately rubbed off by a priest with a bit of cloth
quite roughly.

I went home with some qualms of conscience, and ofti'n
thought with dread of the following tale, which I have
heard told, to illustrate the sinfulness of conduct like
mine.

TMB PRrtST TRAVELLING ON HORKEBACK.

A priest was once travelling, when just as he was pass-
ing by a house, his horse fell on his knees, and would not
rise. His rider dismounted and went in, to learn the cause
of so extraordinary an occurrence. He found there a wo-
man near death, to whom a priest was trying to administer
the sacrament, but without success ; for every time she at-
tempted to swallow it, it was thrown back out of her mouth
into the chalice. lie perceived it was owing to unconfessed
•in, and took away the holy wafer from her : on which his
horse rose from his knees, and he pursued his journey.

I often remembered also that I had been told, that we
shall have as many devils biting us, if we go to hell, as yn
have onconiesfcd sins on oux conscienoeiu
G

AWFTTL DTnni.0anBS8 OF MARIA MOIfX.

I was rb(iuir«<l to devote myoolf for about a year to tha
study of the prayent and practice of tho ceremonin« ntK^et-
sary on the roception of a nun. Thin I found a very tf^di«
0U8 duty : hut m I was roleasod in a great degree from th«
daily labours usually demanded of novi'4)6, 1 felt little dLi-
position to complain.

^
t

AWWm. DTflCLOtrRliI OV 1I4ETA MOt PU

Oliapter VI.

fAKINO THI TMll — INTBHVIXW AITMBVP AKDU WIT« TH« HU"
I'KKIOU — BURPKiaU AMD UOaUUa AT XUH i>IMUtl)tiUK7«--~
EVAOLVTIOK TO SUBMIT.

I v> h» mtroduciod into the Superior's room on thy «vening
prtictxtiiig the day on wliich I was to take the veil, to have
an interview with the hiahop. The Suporior was present,
and the interview laated about half an hour. The bishop
on this, as on other oocaHions, appeared to be habitually
rough in his nuumers. His address was by no meuxis pre-
possessing.

Before I took the veil, I was ornamented for the cere-
mrtuy, and was clothed in a dress belonging to the Con-
vent, which was used on such occasions ; and placed not far
from the altar in the chapel, in the view of a number of
spectators, who had assembled, in number, perhaps about
forty. Taking the veil is an affair which occurs so fre-
quently in Montreal, that it has long ceased to be regarded
as a novelty ; and, although notice had been given in the
French parish church as usual, only a small audience as-
sembled as I have mentioned.

Being well prepared with a long training, and frequent
rehearsals, for what I was to perform, I stood waiting.!: in
my large flowing dress for the appearance of the bishop.
He soon presented himself, entering by a door behind the
altar ; I then threw myself at his feet, Pud asked him to
confer upon me the veil. He expressed !iis consent ; and
then turning to the Superior, I threw myself prostrate at
her feet, according to my instructions, repeating what I
had before done at rehearsals, and made a movement ae ii
to kiss her feet. This she prevrnted, or appear to prevent,
eaAilii'ji^ me by a sudden motion of h«r haxt.d, and ^JUiiiud

^1»««

Avrm. macLOSuuBs of marta mos«.

my request. I then kneeled before the Holy Sacrarnent,
th»t ia a large ronnd wafer held by the Bishop between ku*
ioro- finger and thumb, and made ray vows.

TAKma THB VBIL.

This wafer I had been taught to regard with the utmost
veneration as the real body of Jesus Christ, the presenoe of
which made the vows that were uttered before it binding in
the most solemn manner.

After taking the vows I proceeded to » small apartmesX

i V

<*ir#iL uianiiOHiTKxs or maria mostk.

raTnACt,
reen hui

utmost
nenoe of
idingin

behind the altar, accompanied by fonr nnna, wheie then
wti8 a cofBn prepared with mj nun's name engraved up«n
it:

'SaDTT EuiiTAOB.*

My companion! lifted it by four handlea attached to it,
while I threw off my dreM, and put on that of a nun of
8oeur Bourgeoise ; and then we all returned to the chapoi.
I proceeded first, and was followed by four nuns, the Bis-
hop naming a number of worldly pleasures in rapid buo*
o«8aion, in reply to which I as rapidly repeated, ' Je re-
nounce, je renounce, ja renounce,' — I renounce, I ro-
nounce, I renounce.

The coffin was then placed in front of the altar, and I
advanced to place myself in it. This coffin was to be de-
posited, after the ceremony, in an out-house, to be pre-
served until my death, when it was to receive my corpse.
There were reflections which I naturally made at that time,
but I stepped in, extended myself, and lay still. A pillow
had been placed at the hepi of the coffin, to support my
head in a comfortable position. A large thick black cloth
was then spread over me, and the chanting of Latin hymns
immediately commenced. My thoughts were not the most
pleasing during the time I lay in that direction. The pall,
or Drap Mortel, as the cloth is called, had a strong smell of
incense, which was always disagreeable to me, and then
proved almost suffocating. I recollected the story of the
novice, who, in taking the veil, lay down in her coffin like
me, and was covered in the same manner, but on the re-
moval of the covering was found dead.

When I was uncovered, I rose, stepped out of my coffin,
and kneeled. Other ceremonies then followed, of no parti-
cular interest ; after which the music commenced, and h&n
the whole was finished. I then proceeded from the chapel,
and returned to the Superior's room, followed by the other
nuns, who walked two by two, in their customary manner
wiUi their hAods folded oo their breasts, and their eyes oasi

XWrUh DIdOLOflrRES OV M4BU uonx.

down upon the floor. The nun who wa« to be my com-
panion in future, then walked at the end of the prot^esoion.
On reaching the Buperior's door they all left me, and 1
entered alone, and found her with the Bi&hop and two
IViesta.

The Superior now informed me that having taken the
black veil, it only remained that I should swear the three
oaths customary on becoming a nxm ; and that some ex-
planation would be necessary from her. I was now, she
told me, to have access to every part of the edifice, even to
the cellar, where two of the sisters were imprisoned for
causes which she did not mention. I must be informed
that one of my great duties was to obey the priests in all
things ; and this I soon learnt, to my ntter astonishment
and horror, was to live in the practice of criminal inter-
course with them. I expressed some of the feelings which
this announcement excited ux, me, which came upon me
like a flash of lightning ; but the only effect was to set her
arguing with me, in favour of the crime, representing it as
a virtue acceptable to Qod, and honourable to me. The
priests, she said, were not sitxiatcd like other men, being
forbidden to marry ; whUe they lived secluded, laborious,
and self-denying lives for our salvation. They might, in-
deed, be considered our saviours, as without their service
we could not obtain pardon of sin, and must go to hell.
Now it was our solemn duty, on withdrawing from the
world, to consecrate our lives to religion, to practice every
8pe(;ies of self-denial. We could not be too humble, nor
mortify our feelings too far ; this was to be done by oppos-
ing them, and acting contrary to them ; and what she pro-
posed was, therefore, pleasing in the sight of God. I now
felt how foolish I had been to place myself in the power of
such persons as were around me.

From what she said, I could draw no other conclusions
but that I was required to act like the most abandoned of
beinars, and that all my future associations were habitually
guilty of the moei heinous and detestable orimen. When I

III

0my oom-

>ro(;etiaion.
me, acd 1
;» and two

taken the
the three
some ex-
now, sho
), even to
isoned for
informed
its in all
nishment
lal inter-
igs which
upon mo
k> set her
ingitas
The
being
bborious,
Sht, in-
service
toheU.
om the
e every
>Ie, nor
oppoB-
ihe pro-
I now
ower of

\
Jusions
ned of
itually
Hian I

A^rlW% 0I8CLO8U1UH uJr MARIA IfOKK.

tepeated my oxpresflions of sarprise and horror, di0 told
me that tach feelings were very common at first, and that
many other nuns had expresHod themselves as I did, who
had long since changed their minds. She even said, that
on her entrance into the nunnery, she had felt like me.

Doubts, she declared, were among our greatest enemief .
They would lead us to question every point of duty, and
induce us to waver at every step. They arose only from
remaining imperfections, and were always evidences of sin.
Oar only way was to dismiss them immediately, repent and
confess them. Priests, she insisted, could not sin. It was
a thing impossible. Everything that they did, and wish-
ed, was of course right. She hoped I would see the reason-
ableness and duty of the oaths I was then to take, and be
faithful to them.

She gave me another piece of informatioa, which excited
other feelings in me, scarcely less dreadful. Infants were
sometimes bom in the Convent, but they were always bap-
tijsed, and immediately strangled. This secured their ever-
lasting happiness ; for the baptism purifies them from all
sinfulness, and being sent out of the world before they had
time to do anything wrong, they were at once admitted in-
to heaven. How happy, she exclaimed, are those who se-
cure inmiortal happiness to such little beings 1 Their souls
would thank those who kill their bodies, if they had it in
their power.

Into what a place, and among what society, had I been
admitted. How different did a convent now appear from
what I supposed it to be. The holy women I had always
fancied the nuns to be, the venerable Lady Superior, what
are they P And the priests of the Seminary adjoining,
(some of whom, indeed, I had reason to think were base
and profligate men,) what were they all? I now learaed
that they were often admitted into the nunnery, and al-
lowed to indiilge in the greatest crimes, which they and
others call virtues.

And haying listened for some time to the Superior aloac^

'^^

AWFT7L DHOLOSUBSA OF MARIA MONK.

a number of the nuzu were admitted, and took a free part
in the oonTonation. They concurred in everything which
■he told me, and repeated, without any signs of ihame or
compunction, things which criminated themselves. I must
acknowledge the truth, and declare that all this had an ef-
fect upon my mind. I questioned whether I might not be
in the wrong, and felt as ^f their reasoning might have
some just foundation. I had been several years under the
tuition of Oatholics, and was ignorant of the Scriptures,
and unaccustomed to the society, example, and conversation
of Protestants ; had not heard any appeal to the Bible as
authority, but had been taught both by precept and ex-
ample, to receive as truth everything said by the priests.
I had not heard their authority questioned, nor anything
said of any other standard of faith but their declarations.
I had long been familiar with the corrupt and licentious ex-
prosaions which some of them use at confessions, and be-
lieAved that other women were also. I had no standard of
duty to refer to, and no judgpnent of my own which I
knew how to use, or thought of using.

All around me insisted that my doubts proved only my
own ignorance and sinfulness ; that they knew by experi-
ence that they would soon give place to true knowledge,
and an advance in religion ; and I felt something like in-
decision. -

StiU there was so much that disgusted me in the disco-
very I had now made, \il the debased characters around me,
that I would most gladly have escaped from the nunnery,
and never returned. But that was a thing not to be
\Jiought of. I was in their power, and this I deeply felt,
while I thought there was not one among the whole num-
ber of ni'Jis to whom I could look foi kindness. There
was one^ however, who beg^ to speak to me at length in
a tone that gained something of my confidence, — the nun
whom I have mentioned before as distinguished by her
oddity, Jane Bay, who made us so much amusement when
I was a novice. Although, as I have renuurked, there waS)

AVnrUL DISOLO0T7XBFI OV Ml/lIUA XONZ. «

nothing in h«r face, form, or mannfl^^ to gire me any
pleasure, ihe addre«M>d me with apparent friendlioefi^ ; &ad
while the seemed to oonotir with some thii^ ipoken by
them, took an opportunity to whijsper a few worda in my
ear, unheard by tham, intimating that I had better oomply
with everything the Superior desired, if I would save my
life. I was somewhat alarmed before, but I now became
much more so, and determined to make no further resist-
ance. The Superior then made me repeat the three oaths ;
and, when I had sworn them, I was shown into one of the
coiumunity-rooms, and remained some time with the nuns,
who were released from their usual employments, and en-
joying a recreation day, on account of the admission of a
new sistor. My feelings during the remainder of the day
I shall not attempt to describe, but pass on to meution the
ceremonies that took place at diimer. This description
may give an idea of the manner in which we always took
our meals, although there were some points in whish the
breakfast and supper were different.

At eleven o'clock the bell rang for dinner, and the nuns
all toob their places in a double row, in the same order as
that in which they left the chapel in the morning, e:ccept
that my companion and myself were stationed at the head
of the line. Standing thus for a moment, with our hands
placed one on the other over the breast, and hidden in our
large cuffs, with our heads bent forward, and eyes fixedl on
the floor, an old nun, who stood at the door, clapped her
hands as a signal for us to proceed ; and the procession mov-
ed on, while we all commenced the repetition of litanies.
We walked on in this order, repeating all the way until we
reached the door of the dining-room, where we were divid-
ed into two lines ; those on the right passing down the side
of the long table, and those on the left the other, till all
were in ; and each stopped in her place. The plates ware
all arranged, each with a knife, fork, and spoon, rolled up
in a napkin, and tied round with a linen band marked with
the owner's name. My own plate, knife, &c., were pire-

▲WrtTL iDT^fTLOKTmiU 0» MABiA uogt.

pared like the rest : and on the band around them I fauini
my new namo writton— • Saint Eustace.*

There we stood till all had concluded the litany, when
the old nun, who had taken her place at the head oi the ta-
ble next the door, said the prayer before meat, beginning,
' Benedicite,' and we sat down. I do not remember of
what our dinner consisted, but we usually had soup, and
•ome plain dish of meat ; the remains of which were occa-
sionally served up at supper as a fricasee. One of the nuns,
who had been appointed to read that day, rose, and begun a
lecture from a book put into her hands by the Superior,
while the rest of us ate in perfect silence. The nun who
reads during dinner, stays afterwards to dine. As fast as
we finished our meals, each rolled up her knife, fork, and
spoon, in her napkin, and bound them together with the
band, and sat with hands folded. The oli' lun then said a
short prayer, arose, stepped a little aside, clapped her hands,
and we marched towards the door, bowed as we passed, be-
fore a little chapel, or glass box, containing a wax image of
the infant Josus.

Nothing important occurred till late in the afternoon,
when, as I was sitting in the community-room. Father
Dufresne called me out, saying, he wished to speak with me.
I feared what was his intention ; but I dared not disobey.
In a private apartment, he treated me in a brutal manner ;
and, from two other priests, I afterwards received similar
nsage that evening. Father Dufresne afterwards appeared
again ; and I was compelled to remain in company with him
until morning.

I am assured that the conduct of priests in our Convent
had never been exposed, and it is not inuigined by the peo-
ple of the United States. This induces me to say what I
do, notwithstanding the strong reasons I have to let it ro-
joain unknown. StiU I cannot force myself to speak on
ij8^ eabje^ .except in the most brief muaa»

AWFOTL DiaOLOCnrUU OF MARIA MOWS.

Oliapter VII.

DAOLT cimKicoxnn — yakb hat among thb wnre.

On Thursday morning, tho bell rang at half-past six to wak-
en us. The old nun who was acting as night-watch immo-
diatoly spoke aloud :

* Voici le Seigneur qui yient' (Behold the Lord cometh.)
The nuns all reaponded :

* AUons — y devant lui.' (Let na go and moet him.)

We then rose immediately, and dressed as expeditiously
as possible, stepping into the passage-way, at the foot of
our bed, as soon as we were ready , and taking place each
beside her opposite companion. Thus we were soon drawn
np in a double row the whole length of the room, with oiur
hands folded across our breasts, and concealed in the broad
cufEs of our sleeves. Not a word was uttered. When the
signal was given, we all proceeded to the community-room,
which is spacious, and took our places in rows facing the
entrance, near which the Superior was seated in a vergiere.

We first repeated * Au nom du P^re, du FiLa, et du Saint
Esprit — Aninsi soit il.* (In the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, — Amen.)

We then kneeled and kissed the floor ; then, still on our
knees, we said a very long prayer, beginning : * Divin
Jesus, sauvour de men ame,' (Divine Jesus, Saviour of my
soul.) Then came the Lord's prayers, three Hail Marys,
four creeds, and five confessions, (confesse & Dieu.)

Next we repeated the ten commandments. Then we 1*0-
peated the acts of faith, and a prayer to the Virgin, in
Ijatin, which Uke everything else in Latin, I never under-
stood a word of. Next we said litanies of the Holy Name
of Jesus, in Latin, whicb, were afterwards to be repeated
Mveral times in the oourite of the day. Then oame the

AYrruh vjnohoavmrn ow mjjiia xohtl

i I

pmyer for the beg^mning of tiM day ; tbeu becuiin^ d^wYi,
wo oommenoed the Oriion Mental, (or Mectftl Ori»>n,)
which lasted about an hour and a half.

This exerciia wai ooniidered peculiarly eoleaxin. We were
told in the nunnery that a oertain laint waa saved by the
use of it, as she never omitted it. It oonaiits of sefveral
parts : First, the Superior read to us a chapter from a book,
which occupied five minutes. Then profound silence pre-
vailed for fifteen minutes, during which we were meditating
upon it. Then she read another chapter of equal length on
a different su\ jeot, and we meditated upon that another
quarter of an hour ; and after a third reading and medita-
tion, we finished the exercise with a prayer, called an act of
contrition, in which we asked forgiveness for the sins com-
mitted during the Orison.

During this hour and a half I became very weary, hav-
ing before been kneeling for some time, and having then to
sit in another position more uncomfortable, with my feet
under me, and my hands clasped, and my body went hum-
bly forward, with my head bowed down.

When the orison was over, we all rose to the upright
kneeling posture, and repeated several prayers, and the li*
tanies of the providences, ' providence de Dieu,* &c., then
followed a number of Latin prayers,
which we repeated on the way to mass,
for in the nunnery we had mass daily.

When mass was over we proceeded in
our usual order to the eating-room to
breakfast, practising the same forms
which I have described at dinner. Hav-
ing made our meal in silence, we repeat-
ed the litanies of the 'holy name of
Jesus,' as we proceeded to the commu-
nity-room ; and such as had not finished
them on their arrival, threw tLemselvea ^^
upon their knees, and remained there
imtU they had g(»ie thioogh with them, mjjua moitk.

. (

ijc4 th*x\ «iM.ik <jtt0 of OB kiiM(lasi(; the floor, wo all aroM to

At uine o'clock oomnumuAcI the lecture, which wm
rend by u nun Hppomted to perform that duty that day ;
all ti>ti rbiit ol U8 in thu room being engaged in work.

'Hie nont were at this time distributed in different com-
munity rooms, at different kinds ol work, and each wa«
iJHtcuing to a lecture. This exercise continued until ten
o'clock, when the recreation-bell rang. We still continued
our work, but the nuntt began to converse with each other,
ou tiubjects {>ermitt«d by the rules, in the hearing of the
old nonn, oiie of whom was seated in each of the groups.

At hail-paMt ten the Hileni^-bell rang, and this conversa-
tion instantly ceased, and the recitation of some Latin
prayers oommem^ed, which continued half an hour.

At eleven o'clock the dinner-bell rang, and we went
through the forms and ceremonies of the preceding day.
We proceeded two by two. The old nun who had the
command of as, clapped her hands as the first couple reach-
ed the door, when we stopped. The first two dipped their
fingers into the tont, touched the holy water to the breast,
forehead, and each side, thus forming a cross, said, * In
the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen,* and
then walked on to the dining-room repeating the litanies.
17ie rest followed their example. On reaching the door
the couples divided, and the two rows of nuns marched up,
stopped, and faced the table against their plates. There
we stood, repeating the dose of the litany aloud. The old
nnn pronounced

* BijarEDicTK,'

and we sat down. One of our number began to read a lec-
ture, which continued during the whole meal ; she stays to
eat after the rest have retired. When we had dined, each
of us folded up our napkin, and again folded her hands.
The old nun then repeated a short prayer in French, and
steTjpinir aside from the head of the table, let ns p&n out ta

AWFUL UIBOIiOBVKKf!) Of W.A.fttA iHOTTA,

we came in. Each of na howtxi in }NM«in^ the bttle chapol
nefur the door, which is a gluss-case, containing a waxen
figure of the infant Jesus. When we reached the cutnmu*
nity-room we took our places in rox/s, and kneeled upon
the door, while a nun read aloud, ' I)«.iulour8 de notre
Sainte Marie/ (the sorrows of our holy Marj-). At the end
of each verse we responded * Ave Maria.* We then repeat-
ed again the litany of the provideu(}e« and the

* BB.viKbAxrrB.'

Then we kisued the iloor, and, riein^, took our work, witi
leave to converse on permitUrd bubjeuts — this is wlxat is
called recreation — till one o'clock. We then began to re-
peat litanies, one at a time in succession, still enga^^ud in
sewing, for an hour.

At two o'clock commenced the afternoon lectm-es, which
lasted till near three. At that hour one of the nuns stood
up in the middle of the room, and asked each of us a queu-
tion out of the catechism ; and such as were unable to an-
swer correctly were obliged to kneel, until that exercise
was concluded, upon as many dry peas as there were verses
in the chapter out of which they were questioned. This
seems like a penance of no great importance ; but I have
sometimes kneeled on peas until I suffered great inconveni-
ence, and even pain. It soon makes one feel as if needles
were running through the skin ; whoever thinks it a trifle
had bettor try it.

At four o'clock recreation commenced, when we wero al.
lowed, as usual, to speak to eacJsi other while at work.

At half -past four we began to repeat prayers in Latin,
while we worked, and concluded about five o'clock, when
we commenced repeating the * prayers for the examination
of oonsdence,' the * prayer after confession,' the * prayer
before sacrament,* and the * prayer after saoramont.' Thus
we continued our work until dark, when we laid it aaide,

■»^il^<^{)^iji|hii^;^»Jjirfc*^^^

▲Wttfl. DtSOLOHtRtO OH MAJttiA M^UfWU

And began to go over the SHme pmyorj which we hnil ro-
peatod in the morning, with the exception of the orisoii
mental; instead of that long exercise, we oxaiained our
coneciences, to determine whether we had perfumuid the
resolution we had made in the morning, and such as had
kept it repeated an * acte do joie,* or expression of grati-
tude ; while such as had not, said an * acte de oontrition/

When the prayers were concluded, any nun who had
been disobedient in the day, knelt and asked pardon of the
Superior and her companions ' for the scandal she had caus-
ed them,' and then requested the Superior to give her a
penance to perform. When all the penances had boon im-
posed, we all proceeded to the eating-room to supper, re-
peating litanies on the way.

At supper, the ceremonies were the same as at dinner,
exoepi) that there was no lecture read. We ate in silence,
and went O'^t bowing to the chapelle, and repeating lita-
nies. Returning to the community-room, which we had
left, we had more prayers to repeat, which are called La
couronne (crown), which confiists of the following parts :

Ist. Four Paters.
2nd. Four Ave Marias.
8rd. Four Gloria Patria.
4th. BoniRsez, Santeya.

At the dose of these we kissed the fioor ; after which we
had recxeation till half-past eight o'clock, being allowed to
converse on pormittod subjects, but closely watched, and
not allowed to sit in the comers.

At half -past eight a bell was rung, and a chapter was
read to us, in a book of meditations, to employ our minds
npon during our waking hours at night.

Standing near the door, we dipped our fingers in the
holy water, crossed and blessed ourselves, and proceeded up
to the aleeping-room in the usual order, two by two.

'; V

AWFETL maoLocrun trr kabia kohx.

Whim we had got into bod, we repeated a prayer bttgin-
ning with, — ; ;

< Mon Dieu, je Toua donne mon ocoor/—
* hi J Gkxl, I give you my heart ;'

» 1

and then an old nun, bringing some holy water, sprinkled
it on our bedi to driTe away the devil, while we took some
and croiwed ourselves again.

At nine o'clock the bell rang, and all who wero awake
repeated a prayer, called the oftrande ; t^ioae who were
asleep were considerud as ezoosed.

, After my admission among the nans, I had more oppor-
tunity than before to observe the conduct of mad Jane Ray.
She behaved quite differently from the rest, and with a de-
gree of levity irreconcilable with the rules. 8he was, as I
have described her, a large woman, with nothing beautiful
or attractive in her face, form, or manners ; careless in her
dress, and of a reetless disposition, which prevented her
from applying herself to anything for any length of time,
and kupt her roving about, and almost perpetually talking
to MoniHlx>dy or other. It would be rery diiBcult to give an
accurute description of this singular woman ; dressed in the
plain garments of the nuns, bound by the uauie vows, and
accustomed to the same life, resembling them in nothing
else, and frequently inteiTupting all their employinonts.
She was apparently alnyjst always studying, or pursuing
some odd fancy ; now rising from sewing to walk up and
down, or straying in from another apartment, looking
about, addressing some of ns, and passing out again, or
laying something to make us laugh. But what showed she
wa« no novelty, was the little attention paid to her, and the
levity with which she was treated by the whole nuns;
even the Superior every day passed over irregularities in
this singular person, which she would have punished with
penances, or at least have met with reprimands, in any

■ '••(;.;'-!.;

^iWVUL UHtOlAU^VRMH Of MARIA MONK. ^

Other. From what I saw of her I soon perceived that «ho
betrayed two diBtinct traita of character ; a kind diiponition
toward* Buch ae ahe chose to prefer, and a pleaaure in tea»-
lug those ahe dialiked. or inch m had offended har.

AWnrL DI80L0SUBS8 OF HAIIA MCUCK.

Oliapter VIII.

DX«CRn"nON OF AFARTMBNTS IN THB BLACK MVNMXBT^ W
OIU>K&: IST FLOOR — 2kD FLOOR — OABJEUn — THB FOUKDBB
— -SirPB&IOE'fl MAKAOBMB>rr WITH TUB FBISXSS OF NOYICBS
— &BLIOIOU8 LIBS — O&IMINALITT OF OOMOBALIMO 8IMS AT
00XFK88I0N.

■■ffS

v -It.

^■■M

I WILL now give from memory a general description of the
interior of the Convent of Black Nnns, except the few
apartments which I never saw. I may be inaccurate in
some things, as the apartments and passages of that spaci-
ons building are numerous and various ; but I am willing
to risk my credit for truth and sincerity on the geooteral
correspondence between my description and things as they
are. And this would, perhaps, be as good a case as any by
which to test the truth of my statements, were it possible
to obtain access to the interior. It is well known, that
none but veiled nuns, the bishop and priests, are ever ad-
mitted ; and, of course, that I cannot have seen what I pro-
fess to describe, if I have not been a black nun. The
priests who read this book wUl acknowledge to themsolvei
the truth of my description ; but will, of course, dcuy it to
the world, and probably exert themselves to destroy my
credit. I offer to every reader the following descriptioilf
knowing that time may possibly throw open those sacred
recesses, and allow the entrance of those who can satisfy
themselves, with their own eyes, of its truth. Some of my
declarations may be thought deficient in evidence, and thii
fhey must of necessity be in the present state of things.
But here is a kind of evidence, on which I rely, as I see
how unquestionable and aatisfaotory it mustprovei whm»
it «ball bo obtaiiMtd.

'iff

. .H

AwvcTL •Dxaaiotsvum or makia konk.

rmET, w

> BIMB AT

ion of the

the few ■
^curate in
Mit Bp»<a-
m willing
le gemerftl
^ aBthey
as any by
it possible
lown, that
» ever ad-
rhat I pro-
un. The
Lemaslrei
Idtny it to
eftroy my
eaciiptioiif
^ose sacred
satisfy
le of my
I, and this
jof things,
as I see
ve, when*

If the interior of the Bl^ck Nanuery, whenevw it shall
be exauiin«)d, is materially diflerbnt from the following
description, then I shall claim no confidence, of my readers.
If it resemble it, they wUl, I presume, place confidence in
some of these declarations, on which I may never be cono"
borated by true and living witnesses.

I am sensible that gremt changes may be made in the
furniture of apartments ; that new walls may be construct-
ed, or old ones removed ; and I have been incredibly in-
formed, that masons have been employed in the Nunnery
since I left it. I well know, however, that entire changes
cannot be made, and that enough must remain as it was to
substantiate my description, whenever the truth shall be
known.

The First Stortp.

Beginning at the extremity of the western wing ol the
Clonvent towards Notre Dame Street, on the first storey,
there is —

1st. The Nuns* private chapel adjoining which it a pas-
sage to a small projection of the building extending from
the upper storey to the ground, with very small windows.
Into the passages we were sometimes required to bring
wood from the yard, and pile it up for cm.

2nd. A large community-room, with plain benches fix-
ed against the wall to sit, and lower ones in front to place
our feet upon. There is a fountain in the passage near the
chimney at the further end, for washing the hands and
face, with a green curtain sliding on a rod before it. This
passage leads to the old nun's sleeping-room on the right,
and the Superior's sleeping-room just beyond it, as well M
to a stair-case which conducts to the nuns' sleeping-room,
or dormitoire above. At the end of the passage is a door
opening into —

Srd. The dining-room ; this is larger than the oom*
monity-room, and has three long tables for eating, and •
Qkijl^elle, ot ooUectioa of little pictures, % oracifix, vMi •

AWVUL DMOI^alTBBB OT MA&IA MOHK.

amaU image of the infant Saviou? in a glam case. Thii
apartment has four doors, by the first of which we are
supposed to have entered, while one opens to a pantry, and
the third and fourth to the two next apartments.

4th. A large community-room, with tables for sewing,
and a stair-case on the opposite left-hand comer.

6th. A community-room for prayer used by both nuns
and novices. In the further right-hand comer is a small
room, partitioned off, called the room for examination of
oonscience, which I had visited while a novice by permiB-
lion of the Superior, and where nuns and novices occasion-
ally resorted to reflect on their character, usually in pre-
paration for the sacrament, or when they had transgressed
some or their rules. This little room was hardly large
enough to contain half a dozen persons at a time.

6th. Next, beyond, is a large community-room for Sun>
days. A door leads to the yard, and thence to a gate in
the wall on the cross street.

7th. Adjoining this is a sitting-room, fronting on the cross
street, with two windows, and a store room on the side s. p-
posite them. There is but little furniture, and that very
plain.

8th. From this room a door leads into what I may call
the wax-room, as it contains many figures in wax, not in-
tended for sale. There we sometimes used to pray, or me-
ditate on the Saviour's passion. This room projects from
tixe main building ; leaving it, you enter a long passage,
with cupboards on the right, in which are stored crockery-
ware, knives and forks, and other articles of table furniture,
to replace those worn out or broken — all of the plainest de-
scription ; also, shovels, tongs, &c. This passage lead*

9th. A comer room, with a few benches, &o., and a door
leading to a gate in the street. Here some of the medicines
were kept, and persons were often admitted on business, or
to obtain mMicf nes with tickets from the priests ; and wait-

,••<'

AW!nrL DnoLORTrmm ov marta Moynt.

Thii
we are
y, and

lewingy

h nuaB
ft mnttll
,tion of
permiB*
3ca8ion-
in pro-
sgreseed
ly large

tor Sun-
^gate in

the cross

Bide ». X^"

hat very

may call
not in-
or me'
)cta from
passage,
jrockery-
umiture,
dnest de-
ge lethdi

•d till the Superior or an old nun could bo sent for. Be-
yond this room we never were allowed to go ; and I cannot
gpeak from personal knowledge of what came next.

The Second Storey.

Beginning, as before, at the western extremity of tbt
north wing, but on the second storey, the furthest apart-
ment in that direction which I ever entered was, —

Ist. The nun's sleeping-room, or dormitoire, which I
have already described. Here is an access to the projection
mentioned in speaking of the first storey. The stairs by
which we came up to bed are at the further end of the room;
and near them a crucifix and font of holy water. A door at
the erd of the room opens into a passage, with two small
rooiL«> ' " >loset8 between them, containing bed-dotibM.
Next J V - jBt, —

2nd. A small community-room, beyond which is a pass-
age with a narrow staircase, seldom used, which loads into
the fourth community-room, in the fourth storey. Follow*
ing the passage just mentioned, you enter by a door, —

3rd. A little sitting-room, furnished in the following
manner : — with chairs, a sofa on the north side, covered with
a red-figured cover and fringe; a table in the middle, com-
monly bearing one or two books, an inkstand, pen, &o. At
one comer is a little projection into the room, caused by a
staircase leading from above to the floor below, without any
communication with the second storey. This room has a
door opening upon a staircase leading down to the yard, on
the opposite side of which is a gate opening into the cross
street. By this way the physician is admitted, except when
he comes later than usual. When he comes in, he usuaUy
sits a little whUe, until a nun goes into the adjoining nuns*
sick-room, to soe if all is ready, and returns to admit him.
After preacnbing for the patients, he goes no further, but
returns by the way he enters ; and these are the only roonji
into which he is ever admitted.

1 i

N AwruL DiaoLostmiw or vassa. moo.

4th. Th» nun'i sick-roora adjoims the little sitticg-rooo
on the eact, and has, I thmk, four windows towardfl tha
north, with beds ranged in two rows from end to end, and
A few more between them, near the opposite extremity.
The door to the sitting-room swings to the left, and behind
it is a table, while a glass case on the right contains a wax
figure of the infant Barioux, with several sheep. Netur the
north-eastern comer of this room are two doors, one of
which opens into a long and narrow passage, leading to the
head of the great staircase that conducts to the cross street.
By this passage the physician sometimes finds his way to
the sick room, when he comes later than usual. He ringe
the boll at the gate, which I was told had a concealed pull,
known only to him and the priests, proceeds up stairs and
through the passage, rapping three times at the door of the
sick-room, which is opened by a nun in attendance, after
she has given one rap in reply. When he has visited his
patients and prescribed for them, he returns by the some
way.

6th. Next beyond the sick-room, is a large unoccupied
apartment, half divided by two partial partitions, which
leave an open space in the middle. Here some of the old
nuns commonly meet in the day time.

6th. A door from this apartment opens into another, not
appropriated to any particular use, but containing a table,
where medicines are sometimes prepared by an old nun, who
is usually found there. Passing through this room, you
enter a passage, with doors on its four sides ; that on the
left, which is kept fastened on the inside, leads to the stair-
case and gate ; and that in front to the private sick-roomi,
■oon to be described.

7th. That on the right leads to another, appropriated to
nuns suffering with the most loathsome disease. There was
usually a number of straw mattresses in that room, as I
well know, having helped to carry them in, after the yard-
man had filled them. A door beyond enters into a store-
room, which extends also beyond this apartment. On the

AWTUL DISOLOSTTBXS OF MABIA MONK.

e»

ig-room
urda Uia
tnd, and
tremity.
1 behind
IB a wax
^eurthe
t one of
igtothe
w street.
I way to
Qexingi
led pull,
bain and
or of the
Lce, after
! sited hid
the same

Loccupied
ls, which
f the old

ther, not
a table,
lun, who
oin, you
t on the
ihe itair-
k-rooma,

riated to
"here was
lom, as I
be yard-
) a BtorO'
C)n th«

right, another door opens into another passage, crossing
which, yon enter by a door.

8th. A room with bed and screen in one oomsr, on
which nuns were laid to be examined, before their introduc-
tion into the sick-room last mentioned. Another door op-
posite the former, opens into a passage, in which is a stair-
oase leading down.

9th. Beyond this is a spare room, sometimes used to
store apples, boxes of different things, &o.

10th. Betuming now to the passage which opens on one
side upon the stairs to the gate, we enter the only remain-
ing door, which loads into an apartment usually occupied
by some of the old nuns, and frequently by the Superior.

11th and 12th. Beyond this are two more sick-rooms, in
one of which those nuns stay who are waiting their accouch-
ment, and in the other those who have passed it.

13th. The next is a small sitting-room, where a priest
waits to baptize the infants previous to their murder. A
passage leads from this room on the left, by the doors of two
fuoceeding apartments, neither of which hare I ever en-
tered.

14th. The first of them is the ' holy retreat,' or room
occupied by the priests, while suffering the penalty of their
licentiousness.

15th. The other is a sitting-room, to which they hare
access. Beyond these, the passage leads to two rooms, con-
taining closets for the storage of various articles ; and two
others, where persons are received who come on business.

The public hospitals succeed, ard extend a considerable
distance — I believe, to the extremity of the building. By
a public entrance in that part, priests often came into the
Nunnery ; and I have often seen some of them thereabouts,
who must have entered that way. Indeed, priests often get
into the ' holy retreat,* without exposing themselves in the
view of persons in the ether parts of the Convent, and have
been first known to be tiiere, by the yard-nuns being sent
to the Seminary for their clothes.

AWnn. DIH0L0H1TBX8 OF MABTA MONK.

The Congregational Nunnery was founded by a nim,
called Sister Bourgeoise. She taught a school in Mon>
tre<|l, and left property for the
foundation of a Convent. Her
body iB buried, and her heart is
kept under the Nunnery in an
iron chest, which has been shown
to me, with the assurance that it
continues in perfect preservation,
although she has been dead more
than one hundred and fifty years.
In the chapel is the following in-
scription : * Soeur Bourgeoise,
londatrice du Convent.* (Sister
BourgeoiBe, Founder of the Con-
vent.) ^

Nothing was more common
than for the Superior to step has-
tily into our community-room,
while numbers of us were assem-
bled there, and hastily communicate her wishes in words
like these: —

* Here are the parents of such a novice ; come with me,
and bear me out in this story.' She would then mention
the outlines of a tissue of falsehoods she had just invented,
that we might be prepared to fabricate circumstances, and
throw in whatever else might favour the deception. This
was justified and indeed most highly commanded, by the
system of faith by which we are instructed.

It was a common remark always at the initiation of a new
mm into the Black nun department, that is, to receive the
black veil, that the introduction of another novice into the
convent as a veiled nim, always caused the introduction of
a veiled nun into heaven as a saint, which was on account
of the singular disappearance of some of the older nims al-
wnya at the entrance of new ones.

To witness the scenes which often ocourred between wt

SISTBB BOUBGBOISB,
FOUNDBB OF THB
OONOEBGATIONAL
innCNKBT.

AWWVh DI8CX;0S1TR«H OF VARIA MONK.

words

aoBW
ive the

to the
tion ol
ccount
B al-

and strangers would have struck a person most powerfullyi
il he had known how truth was set at nought. The Supe-
rior, with a serious and dignified air, and a pleasant voice
and aspect, wotild commence a recital of things most fa-
vourable to the character of the absent novice, represent-
ing her equally fond of her situation, and beloved by the
other inmates. The tale told by the Superior, whatever it
was, however unheard before might have been any of her
statements, was then attested by us, who in every way we
could think of, endeavourttd to oonfirm her declarations be-
yond the reach of doubt.

Sometimes the Suf lerior would entrust the management
of such a case to some of the nuns, whether to habituate us
to the practice in which she was so highly accomplished, or
to relieve herself of what would have been a serious burden
to most other persons, or to ascertain whether she could de-
pend upon us, or all together, I cannot teU. Often, how-
ever, have I seen her throw open a door, and say, in a hur.
ried manner, * Who can tell the best story P*

One point, on which we have received frequent and par>
ticular instructions was, the nature of falsehoods. On this
subject I have heard many a speech, I had almost said
many a sermon ; and I was led to belie e that it was one of
great importance, one on which it was a duty to be well in-
formed, as well as to act. ' What !' exclaimed a priest one
day — ' what, a nim of your age, and liot know the dilEer-
ence between a wicked and a religious lie I'

He then wont on, as had been done many time previously
in my hearing, to show the essential diif erence between the
two difEerent kinds of falsehoods. A lie told merely for
the injury of another, for our own interest alone, or for no
object at all, he painted as a sin worthy of penance. — But a
lie told for the good of the church or convent, was meri-
torious, and of course the telling of it a duty. And of this
class of lies there were many varieties and shades. This
doctrine has been inculcated on me and my oompanionn in
the nunnery, more times than I can enumerate ; and to f&y

AWrUL DI80LOBUBS8 OF MARIA SfOKK.

that it was generally received, would he to tell part of tbt
tnith. We often taw tlve practice of it, and were fre-
quently made to take part in it. Whenerer anything
which the Superior thought important, oould he most con-
Teniently acoompliahed hj faliehood, the retorted to it with-
out scruple.

There was a class of cases in which she more frequently
relied on deception than any other.

The friends of novices frequently applied at the Convent
to see them, or at least to inquire after their welfare. II
was common for them to be politely refused an interview,
on some account or other, generally a mere pretext ; and
and then the Superior generally sought to make as favour-
able an impression as possible on the visitors. Sometimet
she would make up a story on the spot, and tell the strange
ers ; requiring some of us to confirm it in the most convinc-
ing way we oould.

At other times she would prefer to make over to us tha
task of deceiving, and we were commended in proportion
to our ingenuity and success.

Some nun usually showed her submission by immediate"
ly stepping forward. She would then add, perhaps, that
the parents of such a novice, whom she named, were ia
waiting, and it was necessary that they should be told such
and such things. To perform so difficult a task well, was
considered a difficult duty, and it was one of the most cer-
tain ways to gain the favour of the Superior. Whoever
volunteered to make a story on ths spot, was sent immedi-
ately to tell it, and the other nuns present were hurried oft
with her under strict injunctions to uphold her in every-
thing she might state. The Superior, as there was every
reason to believe, on all such occasions, when she did not
herself appear, hastened to the apartment adjoining that
in which the nuns were going, there to listen through the
thin partition, to hear whether all performed their parts
anght. It was not uncommon for her to go rather fur-
ther, when she wanted to give such explanation£ as she

AWWVL DI80L0SVB1S OW MAKIA VOmC.

oonld haTe desired. She wonld then enter abruptly, And
ask, * Who can tell a good etory this morning ?* and hurry
us oft without a moment's delay, to do our best at a ven<
ture, without waiting for instructions. It would be curi-
ous, could a stranger from the * wicked world' outside Ohe
Convent, witness such a scene. One of the nuns, who felt
in a farourable humour to undertake the proposed task,
would step promptly forward, and signify her readiness in
the usual way, by a knowing wink of one eye, and a slight
toss of the head.

* Well, go and do the best you can,' the Superior would
say : ' and all the rest of you mind and swear to it.' The
latter part of the order, at least, was always performed ;
for in erery case, all the nuns present appeared as unani-
mous witnesses of eyerythiog that was uttered by the
spokeswoman of the day.

We were constantly hearing it repeated, that we must
never again look upon ourselves as our own ; but must re-
member that we were solely and irrevocably devoted to GK}d.
Whatever was required of us, we were called upon to yield
under the most solenm considerations. I cannot speak on
every particular with equal freedom : but I wish my readers
clearly to understand the condition in which we were plac-
ed, and the means used to reduce us to what we had to sub-
mit to. Not only were we required to perform the several
tasks imposed upon us at work, prayers, and penances, un-
der the idoa that we were performing solemn duties to our
Maker, but everything else wLich was required of us, vn
were constantly told, was something indispensable in his
light. The priests, we admitted, were the servants of GK)d,
especially appointed by his authority, to teach us our duty,
to absolve us from sin, and lead us to heaven. Without
their assistance, we had allowed we could never enjoy the
favour of Qod ; unless they administered the sacrament to
■H, we oould not enjoy everlaating happineee. Having
consented to acknowledge all this, we had no objection to
nrge against admitting any other demand that mi^ht be

▲WytTL DI80T.<MrB18 OT If A HI A HOWL

»H'

made for or by them. If we thought an act ever lo orimi-
nal, the Superior would tell us that the prieeta acted under
the direct aanction of Qodf and could not tin. Of ooune,
then, it could not be wrong to comply with any of their
request!, because they could not demand anything Imt
what was right. On the contrary, to refuse to do anything
they asked would necessarily be sinful. Such doctrlaei
admitted, and such practices performed, it will not seem
wonderful when I mention that we often felt something of
their preposterous character.

Sometimes we took pleasure in ridiculing some of the
faTOurite themes of our teachers ; and I recollect one sub-
ject particularly, which at one period afforded us repeated
merriment. It may seem irrererent in me to envt^ the ao-
ooimt, but I do it to show how things of a solemn nature
were sometimes treated in the oonrent, by women bearing
the title of saints. A Canadian novice, who epoke rery
broken English, one day remarked that she was perform-
ing some duty 'for the Gk)d.' This peculiar expression
had something ridiculous to the ears of some of us ; and it
was soon repeated again and again, in application to various
ceremonies which we had to perform. Mad Jane Hay seis.
ed upon it with avidity, and with her aid it soon took the
place of a by-word in conversation, so that we were con-
stantly reminding each other that we were doing this thing
and that thing, how trifling and unmeaning soever, ' for
the God.' Nor did we stop here ; when the Superior call-
ed upon us to bear witness to one of her religious lie«, or
to fabricate the most spurious one the time would admit ;
to save her the trouble, we were sure to be reminded on
our way to the stranger's room, that we were doing it * for
the God.' And so it was when other things were mention-
ed — everything which belonged to our condition was spok-
en of in somewhat similar tenns.

I have hardly detained the reader long enough on this
subject to give him a just impression of the stress laid on
ooafeeeion. It is one of the great points to which our at-

AffWVL uimxuwixnuu or majua Hvum,

for

feention was oonstantly directed. We were directed to keep
A strict and coBstant watch over our thooghta; to have
oontinaallj before our minds the rules of the oonrent, to
compare the one with the other, remember erery devotion,
and tell all, even the smallest, at confession, either to the
Superior or to the priest. M j mind was thus kept in ft
oc itinual state of activit j, which proved very wearisome ;
and it required the constant exertion of our teachers to keep
nfl up to the practice they inculcated.

Another tale recurs to me, of those which were frequently
toM us, to make us feel the importance of unreserved con-
feti8ion.

A uun of our convent, who had hidden some sin from her
confessor, died suddenly, and without tuxj one to confess
her. Her sisters asfiembled to pray for the peace of her
soul, when she appeared, and informed them that it would
be of no use, but rather troublesome to hit as her pardon
was impossible. The doctrine is, that prayers made for
souls guilty of unconf eased sin, do but sink them deeper in
hell ; and this is the reason I have heard given for not
praying for Protestants.

The authority of the priests in everything, and the enor-
mity of every act which opposes it, were also impressed up-
on our mindfi, in various ways, by our teachers. A * Fa-
ther' told us the following story one day at catechism.

A man once died who had failed to pay some money
which the priest had asked of him ; he was condemned to
be burnt in purgatory until he should pay it, but had per-
mission to come back to this world, and take a human
body to work in. He made his appearance, therefore, again
on earth, and hired himself to a rich man as a labourer.
He worked all day, with the fire working in him, unseen
\j other people : but while he was in bed that night, a girl
In an adjoining room, perceiving the smell of brimstone,
looked through a crack in the wall, and saw him covered
with flames. She informed his master, who questioned hiss

AWWVL DIMTLOflnEU OV MARIA MOHK.

the next morning, and found thAt hxg hired man was §&•
oretlj suffering the pnins of purgatory, for negleoting to
pay a certain lum of money to the prieet. He, therefore,
fumiahed him with the amount due ; it was paid, and the
serrant went off immediately to hearen. The priest can-
not forgire any debt due unto him, beoause it is the Lord's
ett(*,te.

While at confession, I was urged to hide nothing from
the prieflts, and hare boon told by them, that they already
knew what was in my heart, but would not toil, because it
was necessary for me to confess it. I really believed that
the priests were acquainted with my thoughts ; and often
stood in awe of them. They often told me, they had power
to strike me dead at any moment*

4inrUL DUOLOSU&M OV MARIA MOITK

ing to
trolore,
ad th«
t oan-
Lord'l

; from
ilready
ause it
Mlthat
I often
powev

Oliapter JX.

■me WITH SIMILAR NAMKS — WTJAW mJKB — VIKflT Tlirf TO
THl CKLLAB — D18CRIPTI0M OF IT — BHOOKIMO DUOOVIKT
THIRI — 8UP1M0B*8 INSTBUOTIOKS — PBIYATB 8IONAL OF
THl FBI18T8 — BOOKS ITSBD IN THl FTJUWlltT — OPINIOMB
SXPBISHID OF TUB BIBLl — BPIOIMIXS OF WHAT I I NOW
OF THl SCBirTUmM.

I FotnvD that I had sereral nameoakes among the nvjis, for
there were two others who had already borne awaj my new
name, Saint Enataoe. This was not a solitary case, for
there were fire Saint Marys, and throe Saint Monros, b >
sidee two novices of that name. Of my namesakes, I }i».^t
little to say, for they resembled most nuns ; being so much
cut oft from intercourse with me and other sisters, that I
nerer saw anything in them, nor learnt anything abov.t
them, worth mentioning.

Sereral of my new companions were squaws, who had
taken the reil at different times. They were from some d
the Indian settlements in the country, but were not distin-
guishable by any striking habits of charact^v y-om other
nuns, and were generally not very different in their appear*
anoe when in their usual dress, and ongairrHi in their cus-
tomary occupations. It was evident uey were treated
with much kindness and lenity by the Superior and the old
nuns ; and this I discovered was done in order to render
them as weU contented and happy in their situations as pos-
sible : and should have attributed the motives for this par-
tiality to their wishing, that they might not infiuenoe
others to keep away, had I not known they were, like onr-
Mlves, unable to exert such an influence. And thereforo,
I ooold not satiAfy my own mind why this difEdromse wa«

AWrUh l>18<JL0SirB£fl 0# MABIA MOKK.

4-.

made. Many of the Indians were remarkably devoted to
the priests, believing everything they were taught ; and as
it ifl represented to be not only a high honour, but a real
advantage to a family, to have one of its members become
a nun, Indian parents will often pay large sums of money
for the admission of their daughters into a convent. The
father of one of the squaws, I was told, paid to the SupeVi

( .

lavAW mm, nr tmm tkvwvaj o&ouvps wivh hjb
lATKitti n Bit VATiTi oomruioi.

▲W71TL OISOLOSVRBS OF MABXA MONK.

sdtio
d M

xeal
oome
oney

The
apoPi

lua

ior nearly her weight in silver on her reception, althoujrh
he was obliged to flell nearly all his property to raiae the
money. This he did voluntarily, because he thought him-
•elf overpaid by having the advantage of her prayerg,
■ell-sacrificefl, &c., lor himaell and the remainder of hii
family.

The squawB sometimes serve to amuse us ; for when we
were partially dispirited or gloomy, the Superior would oc-
casionally send them to dress themselves in their Indian
garments, which usually excited us to merriment.

Among the squaw nuns whom I particularly remember,
was one of the Saint Hypolites, not the one who figured in
a dreadful scene, described in another part of this narrative,
but a woman of a far more mild and humsme character.

Three or four days after my reception, the Superior sent
me into the cellar for coals ; and after she had given me
directions, I proceeded down a staircase with a lamp in my
hand. I soon found myself on the bare earth in a spacious
place, so dark that I could not at once distinguish its form
or size, but I observed that it had very solid stone walls,
and was arched overhead, at no great elevation. Following
my directions, I proceeded onwards from the foot of the
stairs, where appeared to be one end of the cellar. After
walking about fifteen paces, I passed three small doors, on
the right, fastened with large iron bolts on the outside,
pushed into posts of stone work, and each having a small
opening above, covered with a fine grating, secured by a
•mailer bolt. On my left were three smaller doors, resem-
bling these, and placed opposite them.

Beyond these, the space became broader: the doors evi-
dently closed small compartments, projecting from the out-
er wall of the cellar. I soon stepped upon a wooden floor,
on which were heaps of wood, coarse linen, and other arti-
cles, apparently deposited there for occasional use. I soon
crossed the floor, and found the bare earth again under my
feet.

A little further on, I found the cellar again contracted in

i
I I

^ 00

AWFUL DI8GLOST7BE8 OF MABIA MOHTK,

nzB by a row of closota, or smaller compartmenta, project-
ing on each aide. These wore closed by doora of a difiereai
description from the first, having a simple fasteningf and
no opening through them. ' vl-

Just beyond, on the left side, I passed a staircase leading
ap, and then three doors, much resembling those first de*
scribed, standing opposite three more, on the other side of
the cellar. Having passed tiiese, I found the cellar enlarg.
ed as before, and here the earth appeared as if mixed with
somo whitish substance, which attracted my attention.

Ab I proceeded, I found the whiteness increase, until tne
snrface looked almost like snow, and in a short time I ob-
jerved before me, a hole dug so deep into the earth that I
could perceive no bottom. I stopped to observe it — it was
drcular, twelve or perhaps fifteen feet across, in the middle
of the cellar, and unprotected by any kind of curb, so that
one might easily have walked into it in the dark.

The white substance which I have observed, was spread
all over the surface around it ; and lay in quantities on
m sides, that it seemed as if a great deal of it must have
been thrown into the hole. It immediately occurred to me
that the white substance was lime, and that was the place
where the infants were buried, after being murdered, as the
Superior had informed me. I knew that lime is often used
by Roman Catholics in burying places ; and in that way I
■ceonnted for its being scattered about the spot in such
quantities.

This was a shock' ng thought to me ; but I can hardly tell
how it affected me, as I had already been prepared to ex-
pect dreadful things in the Convent, and had undergone
trials which prevented me from feeling as I should formerly
have done in similar circumstances.

I passed the spot, therefore, with dreadful thoughts, it is
true, about the Uttle corpses which might be in that secret
burying place, but with recollections also of the declarations
wbich I had heard, about the favour done their souls in

▲wroii 018OI1O8UKJM OF MABiA Momc ' if

•ending them direct to heaven, and the necessary virtue ao-
companying all the actions of the priests.

Whether I noticed them or not at vhe time, there is a
¥dndow or two on each side nearly ag^^iriSt the hole, in at
which are sometimes thrown articles brought to them from
without, for the use of the Convent. Through the window
on my right, which opens into the yard, towards the cross
street, lime is received from carts ; I then saw a large heap
of it near the place.

Passing the hole, I came to a spot where was another pro-
jection on each side, with thr«e cells Uke those I first describ-
ed. Beyond them, in another broad part of the cellar, were
heaps of vegetables, and other things, on the right ! and on
the left, I found the charcoal I was in search of. This was
placed in a heap against the wall, as I might then have ob-
served, near a small high window, like the rest, at which it
is thrown in. Beyond this spot, at a distance, the cellar
terminated.

The top, quite to the point, is arched overhead, though
at diHerent heights, for the earth on the bottom is uneven,
and in some places several feet higher than in others.

Not Hiring to be alone in so spacious and gloomy a part of
the Oonvent, especially after the discovery I had made, I
hastened to fill my basket with coal, and to returiL

Here then I was in a place which I had considered as the
nearest imitation of heaven to be f oimd on earth, amongst a
society where deeds were constantly perpetrated, which I
had believed to be most criminal, and had now found the
place in which harmless infants were unfeelingly thrown
out of sight, after being murdered.

And yet, such is the power of instruction and example, al-
though not satisfied, as many around me seemed to be, that
tlus was all righteous and proper, I sometimes was halt in-
clined to believe it, for the priests could do no sin, and thif
was done by priests.

Among the first instructions I received from the Superior,
were such as prepared me to admit priests into the nunnery,

AWmTL DiaOLOSTTKU Of XA&IA MOITK.

from the stxeet, at irrogular houn. It i> no Mcret that
prieits enter and go out ; but il they were to be watched by
any penion in St. Paul's Street all day long, no irregularity
might be auspected ; and they might be bupposed to visit
the Convent for th« performance of religioua oeremoniea
merdiy.

But if a person were near the gate about midnight, he
might sometimes form a different opinion ; for when a stray
priest is shut out of the Seminary, or is otherwise put in
the need of seeking a lodging, ho is always sure of being
admitted into the Black Nunnery. Nobody but a priest
can ever ring the bell at the sick-room door ; much less can
any but a priest gain admittance. The pull of the bell is
entirely concealed, somewhere on tht outside of the gate, I
have been told.

He makes himself known as a priest by a peculiar kind
of hissing sound, made by the tongue against the teeth
while they ar« kept closed and the lips open. Tha nun
within, who delays to open the door until informed what
kind of an applicant is there, immediately reoognises Die
signal, and replies with two inarticulate sounds, such as are
often used instead of yes, with the mouth closed.

The Superior seemed to consider this part of my instruc-
tions quite important, and taught me the signals. I had
often occasion to use them ; I have been repeatedly called
to the door, in the night, while watching in the sick-room ;
and on reaching it, heard the short hissing sound I have
mentioned ; then, according to my standing orders, unfast-
ened the door, admitted a priest, who was at liberty to go
where he pleased. I will name M. Bierze, from St. Denis.

The books used in the nunnery, at least such as I recol-
lect of them, were the following. Most of these are lec-
ture books, or such as are used by the daily readers, while
we were at work and meals. These were all furnished by
the Superior, out of her library, to which we never had ao-
oans She was informed when we had done with the book,

d
C

AWVrrL DIMOLOBtrUM OV lEABU X0N1L

ftnd then exchanged it for another, aa she pleamd to se-
lect.

THB SUPERIOB'B LIBBJLBT.

0'q

La Miroir dn Chretien (Christian Mirror), History d
Rome, Hiftory ol the Church, Life ol Boeur Bourgeoiae,
(the founder of the Convent,) in two volumes, L'AngeOon-
ducteur, (the Guardian Angel,) L'Ange Chretien, (tha
Christian Angel,) Lee Vies dee Saints, (Livee oi the Saints,)

▲WTUL DIS0LO0UBB8 OF MARIA HONK.

in leyeral Tolimie>, Dialogue*, a yolume ooiuriflting of oon-
▼eraationa between a Protestant Doctor, called Dr. D., and
a Oatholic gentleman, on the articles of faith, in which,
after much ingenious reasoning, the former was confuted ;
one large book, the name of which I have forgotten, occu-
pied us nine or ten months at our lectures, night and morn-
ing, L'Instruction de la Jeimesse, (the Instruction of
Touth,) containing much al)Out Convents, and the educa*
tion of persons in the world, with a great deal on oonfes-
sionyi, &c. Examen de la Conscience (Examination of Con>
science,) is a book frequently used.

I may here remark, that I never saw a Bible in the Con-
vent from the day I entered as a novice, until that on
which I effected my escape. The Catholic New Testa-
ment, commonly called the Evangile, was read to us about
three or four times a year. The Superior directed the
reader what passage to select ; but we never had it in our
hands to read when we pleased. I often heard the Protes-
tant Bible spoken of, in bitter terms, as a most dangerous
book, and one which never ought to be in the bands ol
oommon people.

AWFUL DU0L08VS1S OF UAXLA MONK.

oon-

, and
tiich,
ted;

MJCU-

lom-
n of
iuca-
nfes-
GosL*

Ob.apter 2L

UAKvyAonna of eriad and wax oanslbs, oahbud cat

IN THS CONTENT — BtrFH&gTITIONB — 80APVX<AaiB»— YIBOXN
MABT'b FIN0U8HI0N — HX& H0U8K — THB BUHOP'l POWB&
OTNB FOLB — ICT INBTBUOTIONS TO NOYIGia — JANB BAT—
FAOnXATION OF FBBLINOS.

Con-
it on
esta-
ibout
I the
lour
otea-
arouB
is of

Labob quantities of bread are made in the Black Nnnnery
every week ; for, beiidea what ia necessary to feed the nuns,
many of the poor are supplied. When a priest wishes to
gire a loaf of bread to a poor person, he gives him an or-
der, which is presented at the Ck>nvent. The making oC
bread is, therefore, one of the most laborious employments
in the institution.

The manufacture of wax candles was another important
branch of business in the nunnery. It was can ied on in a
■mall room, on the first floor, thence called the dergerie, or
wax-room, cierge being the French word for wax. I was
sometimes sent to read the daily lecture and catechism to
the nuns employed there, but found it a very impleasant
task, as the smell rising from the melted wax gave me a
sickness at the stomach. The employment was considered
SF rather unhealthy, and those were assigned to it who had
lihe strongest constitutions. The nuns who were more enu
ployed in that room were Saint Maria, Saint Gatherine,
Saint Charlotte, Saint Hyacinthe, Saint Hypolite, and
others. But with these, as with other persons in the Con-
vent, I was never allowed to speak, except under cironm-
stances before mentioned. I was sent to read, and was not
allowed even to answer the most trivial question, if on*
were asked me. Should a nun say, * What o'clock is it P*
I never should have dared to reply, but was reqwred to re-
port her to th« Superior.

n ■

,\\

i I

! t

; I

AWFUL DIMIiOSnmXS OV MABIA MONK.

Maoh ■treM was laid on the tairUe teapulairtf or holy
•capillary. This is a small band of cloth or dlk, formed
and wrought in a particular manner, to be tied around tha
neok, by two strings, fastened to the ends. I haye made
many of them ; having been sometimes set to make them in
the Gonyent. On one side is worked a kind of double
cross, (thus, X X,) and on the other, I. H. S., the mean'
ing of which I do not exactly know. Such a band is call-
ed m scapulary, and many miracles are attributed to its
power. Children on first receiving the communion are
often presented with scapularies, which they are taught to
regard with great reverence. We were told of the wonders
effected by their means, in the addresses that were made to
US, by priests, at catechisms or lectures. I will repeat one
oir two of the stories which occur to me.

A Roman OathoUo servant woman, who had concealed
some of her sins at confession, acted so hypocritical a part
as to make her mistress believe her a dewttef or strict ob-
server of her duty. She even imposed upon her confessor
to such a degree that he gave her a scapulary. After he
had given it, however, one of the saints in heaven inform-
ed him in a vision, that the holy scapulary must not re-
main on the neck of so great a sinner, and that it must be
restored to the church. She lay down that night with the
scapulary round her throat ; but in the morning was found
dead, with her head cut off, and the scapulary was discover-
ed in the church. The belief was, that the devil could not
endure to have so holy a thing on one of his servants, and
had pulled so hard to get it oil, as to draw the silken
thread, with which it was tied, through her neck ; after
which, by some divine power, it was restored to the
church.

Another story was as follows. A poor Boman Catholic
was once taken prisoner by the heretics. "Ke had % tainte
MCaptUaire on his neck, when Gk>d, seeing him in the midst
of his foes, took it from the neck by a miracle, and held it
up m the aur t4t>ove the throng of heretics ; more than one

AVrtnTh DISOZiOSTTBKS OV MABIA MOW.

hundred of whom were oonTerted, by leeing it thus supema*
toraUy Buspended.

I had been informed by the Superior, on my firet admis-
■ion as a nun, that there was a subterraneous paunage, lead-
ing from the cellar of our Oonvent, into that of the Oongre.
gational Nunnery : but, though I had ho often Tiidted the
oellar, I had never seen it. One day, after I had been re-
oeived three or four months, I was sent to walk through it
on my knees, with another nun, as a penanoe. This, and
other penanoes, were sometimes put upon us by the priests,
without any reason assigned. The common way, indeed,
was to tell us of the sin for which a ponance was imposed,
but we were left many times to conjecture. Now and then
the priests would inform us at a subsequent confession,
when he happened to recollect something about it, as I
thought, and not because he reflected or oared much upon
the subject.

The nun who was with me led through the cellar, passing
to the right of the secret burial-place, and showed me the
door of the subterraneous ptussage, which was at the ex-
tremity towards the Congregational Nunnery. The rea-
lons why I had not noticed it before, I presume, were, that
it was made to shut dose and even with the wall : and all
that part of the oellar was white- washed. The door, which
is of wood, and square, opens with a latch into a passage
about four feet and a halt high. We immediately got upon
our knees, commenced saying the prayers required, and be-
gan to move slowly along the dark and narrow passage.
It may be fifty or sixty feet in length. When we reached
the end, we opened a door, and found ourselves in the cellar
of the Oongregational Nunnery, at some distance from the
outer wall; for the covered way is carried on towards the
middle of the cellar by two low partitions oovered at the
top. By the side of the door was placed a list of names of
the Black Nuns, with a slide that might be drawn over any
of them. We oovered our names in this manner, as evi-
dence of having performed the duty assigned us ; and then

AWrUL OI80LO8trRE8 OV MABIA UOttH.

(

returned downward! on our knees, by tha way we had oobm.
This penance I repeatedly performed oTterwards ; and by
this way, aa I hare occasion elsewhere to mention, nims
from the Congregational Nunnery sometimes entered oar
Oonvent for worse purposes.

We were frequently assured that miracles are still par-
formed ; and pains were taken to impress us deeply on this
subject. The Superior often spoke to us of the Virgin
Mary's pincushion, the remains of which are pretended to
be preserved in the Oonvent, though it has crumbled quite
to dust. We regarded this relic with such veneration, that
we were afraid even to look at it, and we often heard the
following story related, when the subject was introduced.

A priest in Jerusalem once had a vision, in which he was
informed that the house in which the Virgin had lived,
should be removed from iii fc'^:?.dations, and transported to
a distance. He did not think the communication was from
Gk)d, and therefore disregarded it ; but the house was soon
after missed, which convinced him that the vision was true,
and he told where the house might be found. A picture d
the house is preserved in the Nunnery, and was sometimes
shown us. There was also wax figures of Joseph sawing
wood, and Jesus, as a child, picking up the chips. Wo
were taught to sing a little song relating to this, th«
chorus of which I remember :

' Saint Joseph Garpentier,
Petit Jesus ramassait les oopeanz
Four faire bouillir la marmita I'

(St. Joseph was a carpenter, little Jesus collected chips to
make the pot boil.)

I began to speak of miracles, and I recollect a story of
one, about a family in Italy saved from shipwreck by a
priest, who were in consequence converted, and had two
■DBS honoured with the priest's office. v

I ]^ k9Wi before I entered the Oonvent, about a great

AWrVh DlffOLOHTTBlB OF MABXA MONK.

•w

fire which had de«troyed a number of houMt in th« Qaebao
suburba, and which some said the Biahop eztinguiihed with
holy water. I once heard a Catholic and a Protestant dis-
puting on thiB subject, and when I went to the (Congrega-
tional Nunnery, I sometimes heard the children, alluding
to the same story, say, at an alarm of fire, ' Is it a Oatholio
fire P Then why does not the Bishop run P*

Among the topics on which the Bishop addressed th«
nuns in the Convent, this was one. He Cold us the story
one day, that he could have sooner interfered and stopped
the flames, but that at last, finding they were about to
destroy too many Catholic houses, he threw holy water on
the fire, and extinguished it. I believed this, and also
thought that he was able to put out any fire, but that ha
never did it except when inspired.

The holy water which the Bishop has consecrated, was
considered much more effiacious than any blessed by a
oommon priest ; and this it was which was used in the
Convent in sprinkling our beds. It has a virtue in it, to
keep off any evil spirit.

Now that I was a nun, I was occasionally sent to read
lectures to the novices, as other nuns had been while I was
a novice. There were but few of us who were thought
capable of reading English well enough, and, therefore, I
was more frequently sent thaa I might otherwise have
ieen. The Superior often said to me, as I was going
among the novices :

' Try to convert them — save their souls — you know you
will have a higher place in heaven for every one you oon-
vert.*

For whatever reason, Mad Jane Bay seemed to take great
delight in crossing and provoking the Superior and old
nuns ; and often she would cause an interruption when it
was most inconvenient and displeasing to them. The pre-
servation of silence was insisted upon most rigidly, and
penanoes of such a nature were imposed for breaking it,
thai it was a constant louroe of imeasiness with dm, to

AWFirX, priOLOffTTKIUI OW MAKfA MOT^K.

know that I might infringfi th« rulM in to manj wnyii,
and that inattantion might at any momfltnt lubjaot me ta
lomething very tmpleaaant. During the pericxii of medi-
tation, therefore, and thosH of lecture, work, and repoeo, I
kept a strict guard upon royBelf, to escape penanoei, as well
ai to avoid sin ; and the silence of the others convinced me
that they were equally watchful, and from the same mo-
tives.

My feelings, however, varied at diflerent times, and so
did those of many, if not of all my cx)mp«nions, excepting
the older ones, who took their turns in watching us. We
sometimes felt disposed for gaiety, and threw oft all idea
that talking was sinful, even when required by the rulee of
the Oonvent. I even, when I felt that I might perhape be
doing wrong, reflected that confession, and oertainly pen-
ance, would soon wipe off the guilt.

I may remark here, that I ere long found out several
things important to be known to a person living under
such rules. One of these was, that it was much better to
confetis to a priest a sin oommitted against the rules, be-
cause he would not require one of the penanoes I most dii-
liked, viz., those which exposed me to the observation of
the nuns, or which demanded self -debasement before them^
like begging their pardon, kissing the floor, or the Supe-
rior's feet, &o., and, besides, he as a confessor was bound
to secrecy, and could not inform the Superior against me.
My conscience being as effectually unburdened by my con-
fession to the priest, as I had been taught to believe, I
therefore preferred not to tell my sins to any one else : and
this course I found was preferred by others for the same
good reasons.

To Jane Bay, however, it iometimes appeared to be a
matter of perfect indifference, who knew her violations of
rule, to what penance she exposed herself.

Often and often, while perfect silence prevailed among
the nuns, at meditation, or while nothing whs to be heard
•xcept the voice of the raader appointed for the day, no

AwriTL DiBTiMmnm or maiua mokx.

■lattnr whoM lito or writingi were prueontad for onr con-
templatiun, Jano would braak forth with nome r«m&rk or
qnMtion, that would attract goneral attention, and often
oaiuM a lon(( and total interruption. Bometimes tihe woald
make lome harmleu remark or inquiry aloud, as if through
mar* inadrarteiioj, and then her loud and well-knowa
Toice, so vtrongly aMociated with eTerything singular and
ridiouloos, would arrest the attention of us all, and gener-
ally incline us to laugh. The Superior would then usually
mtfjr some hasty romonatrance, and many a time I hare
heard her pronounce some penance upon her ; but Jane had
some apology ready, or soma reply calculated to irritata
still further, or to prore to every one that no punishment
would be effectual on her. Sometfiaes this sing^ular wo-
man would appear to be actuated by opposite feelings and
motives; for although she usually delighted in drawing
others into difficulty, and has thrown many a severe pen-
ance even upon her greatest favourites, on other occasions
she appeared totally regardleias uf consequences herself,
and preferred to take all the blame, anxious only to shield
others.

I have repeatedly known her to break silence in the com*
munity, as if she had no object, or none beyond that of
causing disturbance, or exciting a smile, and as soon as it
was noticed, exclaim, ' Say it's me, say it's me !'

Sometimes she would even expose herself to punishment
in place of another who was guilty ; and thus I found it
difficult fully to understand her. In some cases she seem-
ed decidedly out of her wits, as the Superior and priests
commonly preferred to represent her ; but generally I saw
in her what prevented me from accounting her insane.

Among her common tricks were such as these ; she gave
me the name of the * Devout English Header,' because I
was often appointed to read the lecture to the English girls ;
and somietimeB, after taking a seat near me, under pre-
tence of deafness, would whisper it in my hearing, because
•ho knew my want of self-command when oxcitad to laugh*

AWirUL DISOLOflirBM OW MABIA HOKK,

ter. ThtiB she often exposed me to penances for a breaoh
of decorum, and set me to biting my lips, to avoid laugh-
ing outright in the midst of a solemn lecture. * Oh ! you
doTont English reader 1* would sometimes come upon me
suddenly from her lips, with something in it so ludicrous,
that I had to exert myself to the utmost to avoid obsenra-
tion.

This came so often at one time, that I grew uneasy, and
told her I must confess it, to unburden my conscience. I
had not done so before, because she would complain of me,
for giving way to temptation.

Sometimes she would pass behind us as we stood at din-
ner ready to sit down, and softly moving back our chairs,
leave us to fall down upon the floor. This she has repeat-
edly done ; and while we were laughing together, 8h«
would spring forward, kneel to the Superior, and beg htm
pardon and a penance.

i/Sf*

AWITTL OIB0L08UBBB OV MABIA MOVS.

Obapter XX.

ALABMINO OBDEB FBOM THB SUFEBIOB—FBOCKBD TO BXK-
OUTB IT— 80BNB IN AN UPPEB ROOM — 8BNTBK0R OF
DBATH, AND MUBDER— MY OWN DIBTBE^it — BKIOKTS
MADX TO FRIENDS OF ST. FBANOES.

But I must now come to one deed in which I had some
part, and which I look back upon with greater horror and
pain than any occurrences in the Convent, in which I was
nut the principal sufferer. It is not necessary for me to
attempt to excuse myself in this or any other case. Those
*?ho have any disposition to judge fairly, will exex'cise
fheir own judgment in making allowances for me, under
the fear and force, tl..e command and examples, before me.
I, therefore, shall confine myself, as usual, to the simple
narration of facts. The time was about five months after
I took the veil, the weather was cool, perhaps in Septembei
or October. One day the Superior sent for me and several
other nuns, to receive her commands at a particular room.
We foimd the Bishop and some priests with her ; and
speaking in an unusual tone of fierceness and authority,
she said, ' Go to the room for the Examination of Con-
•cience, and drag St. Frances up stairs.' Nothing more
was necessary than this unusual command, with the tone
p.nd manner which accompanied it, to excite in me the most
gloomy anticipations. It did not strike me as strange that
St. Frances should be in the room to which the Superior
directed us. It was an apartment to which we were often
sent to prepare for the communion, and to which we volun-
tarily went, whenever we felt the compunctions which our
ignorance of duty, and the misinstructions we received, in-
oliuod us to seek relief from self-reproach. Indeed I had
seen hor there a little before. What terrified me was, first,

AWVUL DI80L08UfiX8 OF MABIA MO»&

the Superior's angrj manner ; second, the expression she
oaed, ^>eing a French term, whose peculiar use I had learnt
in the Conrent, and whose meaning is rather softened when
translated into drag ; third, the place to which we wero
directed to take the Interesting young nun, and the person«
assonbled then, as I supposed, to condemn her. My lean
were such, concerning the fate that awaited her, and mj
horror at the idea that she was in some way to be sacrific-
od, that I would have given anything to be allowed to stay
where I was. But I feared the oonsequences of disobeying
the Superior, and proceeded with the rest towards the room
for the examination of conscience.

The room to which we were to proceed from that, was in
the second story, and the place of many a scene of a shame-
ful nature. It is sufficient to say, after what I have said
in other parts of this book, that things had there occurred
which made me regard the place with the greatest disg^t.
Saint Frances had appeared melancholy for some time. I
well knew that she had cause, for «he had been repeatedly
subject to trials which I need not name — our common lot.
When we reached the room where we had been bidden to
Koek her, I entered the door, my companions standing be-
hind me, as the place was so small as hardly to hold five
l^entons at a time. The young nun was standing alone,
near the middle of the room ; she was probably about
twenty, with light hair, blue eyes, and a ^ery fair com-
plexion. I spoke to her in a compassionate voice, but at
the same time with such a decided manner, that she com-
prehended my meaning.

* Saint Frances, we are sent for you.'

Several others spoke kindly to her, but two addressed her
very harshly. The poor creature turned round with a look
of meekness, and without expressing any unwillingness or
fear, without even speaking a word, resigned her8e]f to our
hands. The tears came into my eyes. I had not a moment*!
doubt that she considered her fate as sealed, and was already
^yond the fear ui* death. She was conducted or rather

A^WFUL DISOLOSUBSS OF MARIA MUKK.

or
bur

h^irried to the 8tairca§e, which was near by, and then ti»iz(>d
Dy her limbs and clothes, and in fact almost dragged up
stairs, in the sense the Superior had intended. I laid my
own hands upon her — I took hold of her, too, more gently
indeed than some of the rest ; yet I encouraged and assisted
them in carrying her. I coiild not aToid it. My refusal
would not have saved her, nor prevented her from being
oarried up ; it would only have exposed me to some severe
punishment, as I believe some of my companionB would have
seized the first opportunity to complain of me.

All the way up the staircase. Saint Frances spoke not a
word, nor made the slightest resistance. When we entered,
with her, the room to which she was ordered, my heart sank
■mthin me. The Bishop, the Lady Superior, and five
priests, viz. : Bonin, Richards, Savage, and two others, I
now ascertained, were assembled for trial, on some charge
of great importance.

When we had brought our prisoner before them. Father
Richards began to question her, and she made ready, but
calm replies. I cannot pretend to give a connected account
of what ensTied ; my feelings were wrought up to such a
pitch, that I knew not what I did, or what to do. I waa
under a terrible apprehension that, if I betrayed the feelings
which overcame me, I should fall under the displeasure of
the cold-blooded persecutors of my poor innocent sister ; and
this fear on the one hand, with the distress I felt for her
on the other, rendered me almost frantic. As soon as I en-
tered the room, I had stepped into a comer, on the left of
the entrance, where I might partially support myself by
leaning against the wall between the door and the window.
This support was all that prevented me falling to the floor,
for the confusion of my thoughts was so great, that only »
law words I heard spokt^n on either side made any lavting
impression upon me. I felt us if struck with »ome insup-
portable blow ; and death would not have been more fright-
ful to me. I am inclined to the belief that Father Richardji
wished to shield the poor prisoner from the severity of bar

AWFTTL DISCLOSr&lR OK UABJCA MOKX.

li-
lt' '•'

f&te, by drawing from her expre^iioxui that might bear »
favourable construction. He aekwi her, among other thing.**
if she was now eorry for what she had been overheard to
say, (fox ahe had been betrayed by one of the nuns,) and if
she would not prefer confinement in the cells to the punish-
mAnt which was threatened. But the Bishop soon inter-
rupted him, and it was easy to perceive, that he considered
her fate as sealed, and was determined she should not escape.
In reply to some of the questions put to her, she was silent ;
to others I heard her voice reply that she did not repent of
words she had uttered, though they had been reported by
some of the nuns who had heard them ; that she had firmly
resolved to resist every attempt to compel her to the com-
mission of crimes which she detested. She added that she
would rather die than cause the murder of harmless babea.

* That is enough, finish her !' said the Bishop.

Two nims instantly fell upon the woman, and in obedi-
ence to directions, given by the Superior, prepared to exe-
cute her sentence.

She still maintained all the calmness and submission of a
lamb. Some of those who took part in this transaction, I
believe, were as unwilling as myself ; but of others I can
safely say, I believe they delighted in it. Their conduct
certainly exhibited a most blood-thirsty spirit. But above
all others present, and above all himian fiends I ever saw, I
think Saint Hypolite was the most diabolical ; she engaged
in the horrid task with all alacrity, and SMumed from choi<3e
the most revolting parts to be performed. She seized a
gag, forced it into the mouth of the poor nun, and when it
was fixed between her extended jaws, so as to keep them
open at their greatest possible distance, took hold of the
straps fastened at each end of the stick, croso A them behind
the helpless head of the victim^ and drew them tight through
the loop prepare<l as a fastening.

The bed which had always stood in ono part of the room,
■till remained there ; though the screen, which had usually
been placed before it, and wtt& made of thick muslin, with

*4.

>n of &

■'1

tion, I

) lean

onduct

above

saw, I

igagod

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hen it

them

of the

)ehijDd

rough

room.

STJAily

1 i
' &

, with

AWFUL DISOtOSURlia OF MA.RIA MOlft W

only a crevice through which a person might look out, had
been folded up on its hingei in the form of a W., and
placed in a comer. On the bed the prisoner was laid with
her face upwards, and then bound with cords so that she
could not move. In an instant, another bed was thrown up-
on her. One of the priests, named Bonin, sprung like a

THB IKHTIMAN PRIKST, BONIN.

fury first upon it, with all his force. He was speedily fol-
lowed by the nuns, until there were as many upon the bed
as could find room, and all did what they coiild, not only to
smother, but to bruise her. Pome stood up and jumped up-
on the poor girl with their j eet, some with their knees ; and
others, in different ways, soemed to seek how they might
best beat the breath out of her body, and mangle it, without
coming in direct contact with it, o*- iseeing the effectsof their
violences. During this time, my feelings were almost too
ttsrong to be endured, I felt iStnpified, and Boaroely was
oonsoious ol what I did. Btill, fear for myielf remained ia

«4

▲WFUli DIRulORTTBBS OF MABIA MONK.

a Mufficient degree to induce me to some exertion ; and I at
tempted to talk to those who stood next, partlf that I might
hare an excuse for turning away from th» dreadful scene.

After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes, and when it
was presumed that the sufferer hzid beon tauothered and
crushed to death, Father Bonin and the nims ceased to
trample upon her, and stepped from the bed. All wai
motionless and silent beneath it.

They then began to laugh at such inhuman thoughts as
occurred to some of them rallying each other in the most
unfeeling manner, and ridiculing me for feelings which I in
Tain endeavoured to conceal. They alluded to the resigna-
tion of our murdered companion ; and one of them taunt-
ingly said, ♦ She would have made a good Catholic martyr.*
After spending some moments in such conversation, one of
them asked if the corpse should be removed. The Superior
said it had better remain a little while. After waiting a
short time longer, the feather-bed was taken oft, the cords
unloosed, and the body taken by the nims and dragged
down stairs. I was informed that it was taken into the
cellar, and thrown unceremoniously into the hole which I
ha^ealready described, covered witha great quantity of lime ;
and afterwards sprinkled with a liquid, of the properties
and name of which I am ignorant. This liquid I have neen
poured into the hole from large bottles, after the necks were
broken off ; and have heard that it is used in France to pre-
Tent the effluvia rising from cemeteries.

I did not soon recover from the shock caused by this
scene ; indeed, it still recurs to me, with most gloomy im-
pressions. The next day there was a melancholy aspect
over everything, and recreation time passed in tho dullest
manner ; scarcely anything was said above a whisper. I
mver heard much said afterwards about Saixxt Frances.

I spoke with one of the nuns, a few worils, one day, but
we were all cautioned not to expose ourselves very far, and
oaoM not plaoe much reliance in each other. The mur-

AWWTJl, mHOLOSUKBS 07 MAKIA MONK.

jr.
I.

r, but
, and
mar**

5^11

dered nun had been brought to her thocking end throogh
the treachery of one of our number in whom she confided.

I never knew with certainty who had reported her re-
marks to the Superior, but luapicion fastened on one, and I
never could regard her but with detestation.

I was more inclined to blame her than some of those em-
ployed in the execution ; for there could have been no ne-
oesHity for the betrayal of her feelings. We all knew huw
to avoid exposing each other.

I was often sent by the Superior to overhear what was
said by novices and nuns, when they seemed to shun her ;
she would say, * Oo and listen, they are speaking English ;'
and though I obeyed her, I never informed her against
them. If I wished to clear my conscience, I would go to a
priest and confess, knowing that he dared not communi-
cate what I said to any person, and that he would not
choose as heavy penances as the Superior.

We were always at liberty to choose another confessor
when we had any sin to confess, which we were unwilling
to tell one to whom we should otherwise have done.

Not long after the murder just related, a young woman
came to the nunnery, and asked for permission to see St.
Frances. It was my former friend, with whom I had been
an assistant teacher. Miss Louisa Bousquet, of St Deiun

mas Louzuk uovaoxm.

II ▲WrUL DXROLOMVUXS OF MAKIA MOTHC.

From this, I Bupposed the murdered nun might haTO comft
from that toyrOf or its vicinity. The only answer waa,
that St. Francen was dead.

Some time afterwards, some of St. Frances* friends call-
ed to inquire after her, and they were told that she had
died a glorious death ; and fiurthor told, that she made
some heavenly expressionS| which were repeated in order to
satisfy her friends.

v«,

▲W7UL BIlCLOtlUBBS Or MABU MOHX.

•7

Oliapter XII.

DBSOATPTIOlf OF THB BOOM OF THB THBBB 8TATBS, AND THH
PZOTUBEB IK IT — JTANB K\Y — BIDIOITLINO PRIKSTB — THAOi
CBDIIKAL TBBATMENT OF US AT CONFESSION — JANB BAT'S
TBICKB W'JH TUB NUNs' APBONS, HANOKBBCHIBFB, AND
NIGHT- C WNS — APFLBS.

T^'V pictures in the room of the three states were large,
and painted by some artist who understood how to make
some horrible ones. They appeared to be stuck to the
walls. The light is admitted from small and high windows,
which are curtained, and is rather faint, so as to make
evorjrthing look gloomy. The story told us was, that they
were painted by an artist, to whom God had given power
to represent things exactly as they are in heaven, hell, and
purgatory.

In heaven, the picture of which hangs on one side of the
apartment, multitudes of nuns and priests are put in the
highest places, with the Virgin Mary at their head, 8t.
Peter and other saints, far above the great numbers of good
Oatholics of other classes, who are crowded in below.

In purgatory are multitudes of people ; and in one part,
called ' TTie place of lambSf* are infants who died unbap-
tized. * The place of darkness' is that part of purgatory
in which adults are collected, and there they are surround-
ed by flames, waiting to be delivered uy the prayers of the
living.

In hell, the picture of which, and that of purgatory,
were on the wall opposite that of heaven, the human faces
were the most horrible that can be imagined. Persons of
different descriptions ware represented, with the most dis-
torted features, ghastly complexioiui, and eveiy variety dt

r ■

AWVTTL OI80L0AXTBRS OF VABIA MONK.

t I

droAdfiU exprossion; fome with wild beAiitfl g^wing nt
their heads, otheri furiouily biting the iron ban which
kept them in, with looks which could not fail to make a
spectator shudder.

I could hardly persuade myself that the figures were not
liring, and the impression they made on my feelings was
powerful. I was often shov n the place where nuns go
who break their tows, as a warning. It is the hottest
place in hell, and worse, in every point of view, even than
that to which all Protestants are assigned ; because they
are not so much to be blamed, as we were sometimes as-
sured, as their ministers and the Bible, by which they are
perverted.

Whenever I was shut in that room, as I was several
time*, I prayed for ' les Ames des fiddles trepasses ;' the
souls of those faithful ones who have long been in purga-
tory, and have no rel&iions living to pray for them.

My feelings were often of the most painful descriptioii,
while I remained alond with those frightful pictures.

Jane E^y was once put in, and uttered the most dreadful
shrieks. Some of the eld nuns proposed to the Superior to
have her gagged ; * No,' she replied, ' go and let out that
devil, she makes me sin moro than all the rest.'

Jane could not endure the place ; and she afterwards gave
names to many of the worst figures of the pictures. On
oatechijim-days she would take a seat behind a cupboard
door, where the priest could not isee her, while she faced
the nuns, and would make us laugh. ' You are not so at-
tentive to your lessons as you used to be,' he would begin
to say, while we were endeavouring to suppress ouz
laughter.

Jane would then hold up the first letter of some priest's
name whom she had before compared with one of the faces
in ' hell,' and so look that we could hardly preserve our
gravity.

I remember she named the wretch who was biting at the
iKixs of hell, with a serpent gnawing his head, with chains

AwruL vmcLomvm ov karia Momc

the

and pudlocks on, Father Dufreane ; and ih* would lay—
^ Doea he not look lik^ him, when he cornea in to oatechiam
with his long solemn lace, and begina hia apeeohea with,
* My children, my hope la that yon have liyed Tory derout
UveaP"

The first time I went to confesaion after taking the Teil,
I fonnd abundant evidence that the priesta did not treat
even that ceremony, whiclx ia called a solemn sacrament,
with respect enough to lay aside the shameLesa character
they ao often showed on other occaaionB. The oonfeaaor
Bometimea aat in the room for the examination of con-
acience, and sometimes in the Superior's room, and always
alone except the nim who was confessing. He had a com-
mon chair placed in the middle of the floor, and instead of
being placed behind a grate, or lattice, as in the chapel»
had nothing before or around him. There were no specta-
tors to observe him, and of coura* any auch thing would
have been unnecessary.

A number of nuna usually confessed on the same day»
but only one could be admitted into the room at a time.
They took their placea just without the door, on their
knees, and went through the preparation prescribed by the
rules of confession ; repeating certain prayers, which al-
ways occupy a considerable time. When one waa ready,
ahe rose from her kneea, entered, and closed the door be-
hind her ; and no one eren dared touch the latch till ahe
came out.

I ahall not tell what waa tranaacted at such times, under
the pretence of confessing, and receiving absolution from
am ; far more sin was often incurred than pardoned ; and
Crimea of a deep dye were oonmiitted, while trifling irre-
gularities in childish ceremonies, were treated as serioua
offences. I cannot persuade myself to speak plainly on
auch a aubject, as I must offend the virtuous ear. I can
only say, that suspicion cannot do any injustioe to the
priests, becaus^ their aina cannot be exaggerated.
8om« idea may be formed of the manner in which even

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

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(716) 872-4503

1>V

Aynroh dzsolobums or mabia mokz.

moh womrai at niany of my aister nuzia, regarded the fathar
oonfeMon, when I state that there was often a oontt^t
among iui» to avoid entering the apartment as long aa we
oould ; endeavouring to make each othct go firut, as that
was what most of us dreaded.

During the long and tedioas days which filled up the
time between the oocurrenoes I have mentioned^ nothing or
little took place to keep up our spirits. We wore fatigued
in body with labour, or with sitting, debilitated by the
long oontinuance of our religious exercises, and depreuied
in feelings by our miserable and hopeless condition. No-
thing but the humours of mad Jane Bay could rouse us for
a moment from our languor and melancholy.

To mention all her devices, would require more room
than is here allowed, and a memory of almost all her words
and actions for yean. I had early become a favourite with
her, and haJ opportunity to learn more of her character
than most of the other nuns. As this may be learned from
hnarfng what she did. I will here recount a few of her
tricks, just as they happen to present themselves to my
memory, with regard to the order of time.

She one day, in an unaccountable humour, sprinkled the
tLoat plentifully with holy water, which brought upon her
a severe lecture from the Superior, as might have been ex-
pected. The Superior said it was a heinous oSence ; she
had wasted holy water enough to save many souls from
purgatory; and what would they not give for it. She
then ordered Jane to sit in the middle of the floor, and
when the priest came, he was informed of her offence. In-
stead, however, of imposing one of those penances to which
■he had been subjected, but with so little effect, he said
to her, * Gk> to your place, Jane ; we forgive you for this
tune.*

I wttf onoe set to iron aprons with Jane ; aprons and
pooknt*handkerchief8 are the only articles of dress which
are ever ironed in the Ckmvent. As soon as we were alone,
ftub reparked; * WslHt we are free from the rules while we

▲WT17L DXSOLOSTTKKS OF MABIA MOITX.

•1

Are at thiB work ;* and, although she knew ihe had no tea-
sou for saying so, she began to sing, and I soon joined her,
and thuB we spent the time, while we were at work, to the
neglect of the prayers that we ought to have said.

We had no idea that we were in danger of being OTSor-
heard, but it happened that the Superior was overhead all
the time, with several nuns, who were preparing for oon-
foAuion; she came down and said, *How is thisP' Jane
Bay coolly replied that we had employed our time in sing-
ing hymns, and referred to me. I was afraid to confirm so
direct a falsehood, in order to deceive tho Superior, though
I had often told more injurious ones of her fabrication,
or at her orders, and said very little in reply to Jane's re-
quest.

The Superior plainly saw the trick that was attempted,
and ordered us both to the room for the examination of
conscience, where we remained till night without a mouth-
ful to eat The time was not, however, unoccupied ; I re-
ceived such a lecture from Jane as I have very seldom
heard, and she was so angry with me, that we did not speak
to each other for two weeks.

At length she found something to complain of against
me, had me subjected to a penance, which led to our beg-
ging each other's pardon, and we became perfectly satisfi-
ed, reconciled, and as good friends as ever.

One of the most disgusting penances we had ever to sub-
mit to, was that of drinking the water in which the Super-
ior had washed her feet. Nobody could ever laugh at this
penance except Jane Bay. She would pretend to comfort
us, by saying she was sure it was better than mere plain
clear water.

Some of the tricks whidx I remember, were played by
Jane with nuns' clothes. It was a rule that the oldest aprons
in use should go to the youngest received, and that the old
nuns were to wear all the new ones. On four different oo-
cauons, Jane stole into the sleeping-room at night, and im-
obtexv«d by the watch, changed a great part of the aproasi

i; ■.
■:^

I! I
II

IS, ha

■Mi

▲wviTL ozaoL08ir&BS or mabia movic.

tAKB BAT OHANOINO THB AJPBONS.

placing th«m by fhe bedi of niuu to whom they did not

belong. The oon«e- ^i, ii

quence was, that in the id "' • ■ < i — J — i

morning they dressed

themselves in such haste,

AS never to discover the

mistake they made, im-

til they were all ranged

at prayers ; and then the

ridiculous appearance

which many of them out,

dfftorbedthe long devotions. I laugh so easy that, on

such oooasions, I usually incurred a full share of penances.

I generally, however, got a new apron, when Jane played

this trick ; for it was part of her object to give the best

aprons to her favourites, and put oft the ragged ones on

some of the old nuns whom she most hated.

Jane once lost her pocket-handkerchief. The penance
for such an offence is, to go without any for five weeks.
For this she had no relish, and requested me to pick one
from some of the nuns on the way up stairs. I succeeded
in getting two ; this Jane said was one too many, and she
thought it dangerous for either of us to keep it, lest a search
should be made. Very soon the two nuns were complain-
ing that they had lost their handkerchiefi, and wondering
what oould have become of them, as they were sure they
had been careful. Jane seized an opportunity, and slipped
one into a straw bed, where it remained until the bed was
emptied to be filled with new straw.

As the winter was coming on, one year, she complained
to me that we were not as well supplied with warm night-
clothes, as two of the nuns she named, whom she said she
' abominated.' She soon after found means to get posses-
sion of their fine warm flannel night- g^wns, one of which
she gave to me, while the other was put on at bedtime. She
preetuned the owners would have a secret s^roh for them ;
and in the morning hid them in the stove, after the fire had

A^wuh DUMniOfltruB ov mabia Momc

lot

368.

^ed

>est

AOO
OIM

ded
■h«
rch
,in-

gone out, whioh was kindled a little befon the hour of ris-
ing, and then suffered to bum down.

This she did every morning, taking them out at night
through the winter. The poor nuns who owned the gar-
ments were afraid to complain of their loss, lest the j should
hare some penance laid on them, and nothing was ever said
about them. When the weather began to grow warm in
the spring, Jane returned the night gowns to the beds of
the nims from whom she had borrowed them, and they were
probably as much surprised to find them again, as they had
been before at losing them.

Jane once found an opportunity to fill her apron with a
quantity of fine apples, called fmnetum, which came in her
way, and hastening up to the sleeping-room, hid them un-
der my bed. Then coming down, she informed me, and we
agreed to apply for leave to make our elevens, as it is called.
The meaning of this is, to repeat a certain round of prayers,
for nine days in succession, to some saint we choose to ad-
dress for assistance in becoming more charitable, affection-
ate, or something else. We easily obtained permission, and
hastened upstairs to begin our nine days' feast on the ap<
pies ; when, much to our surprise, they had all been taken
away, and there was no way to avoid the disagreeable fate
we had brought upon ourselves. Jane, therefore, began to
search the beds of the other nuns ; but not finding any traos
of the apples, she became doubtly vexed, and stuck pins in
those that belonged to her enemies.

When bed-time came, they were much scratched im get-
ting into bed, whioh made them break silence, and that sub-
jected them to penances.

AWITL DIBOLOnrBlU Of MAEJUk XOKS.

!l '

1 1

Oliapter XIXX.

JAKB RAT'b tricks OONTINUHD — THH BROOMflTIOK GHOHl"—
BLBBP-WALKIMra — 8ALTBD OTDBB — OHAMaiKQ BUDS — OB-
aBCTS 07 BOMB OV HBB TRICKS — FBI»NBD HUMILITS—
ALARM.

Onb Bight, onue, who had been sweeping the sleeping -room
for a peuancoi dressed np the broomstick, when she had
completed her work, with a white cloth on the end, so tied
as to resemble an old woman dressed in white, with long
aims sticking out. This she stuck through a broken pa^ne
of glass, and placed it so that it appeared to be looking in at
the window, by the font of holy water. There it remained
till the nuns came up to bed. The first who stopped at the
font, CO dip her finger in, caught a glimpse of the singular
object, and started with terror. The next was equally ter-
rified, as she approached, and the next, and the next.

We all believed in ghosts ; and it was not wonderful that
such an object should cause alarm, especially as it was but a
short time after the death of one of the nuns. Thus they
went on, each getting a fright in turn, yet all afraid to
speak. At length, one more alarmed, or with less presence
of mind than the rest, exclaimed, * Oh, mon Dieu ! je ne me
coucherais pas !' When the night watch called out, * Who's
that P* she confessed she had broken silence, but pointed at
the cause ; and when all the nuns assembled at a distance
from the window, Jane offered to advance boldly, and as-
certain the nature of the apparition, which they thought a
most resolute intention. We all stood looking on, when
she stepped to the window, drew in the broomstick, and
fhowed OB the ridiculous puppet which had alarmed so aiany
superstitious feart.

(

i
t
c

kwrcnL BisciiOarftSs or maHia kokiK.

•6

Some of her greatest feats she performed m a sleep-
walker. Whether she ever walked in her sleep or not, I

liSBH^b.

JTANB EAT*8 MIDNIGHT WALK.

am unahle, with certainty, to say. She, however, often
imposed upon the Superior, and old nuns, by making them
think so, when I knew she did not ; and yet I cannot posi-
tively say that she always did. I have remarked that one
of the old nuns was always placed in our sleeping-room»at
night, to watch us. Sometimes she would be inattentive,
and sometimes fall into a doze. Jane Bay often seized such
times to rise from her bed, and walk about, occasionally
seizing: one of the nuns in bed, in order to frighten her.
This she generally effected ; and many times we have beon
awakened by screams of terror. In our alarm, some of vm
frequently broke silence, and gave occasion to the Supe-
rior to lay us under penances. Many times, however, we
escaped with a mere reprimand, while Jane usually receiv-
ed expressions of compassion : * Poor creature ; she would
not do so if she were in perfect possessijn of her reason.'
And Jane displayed her customary artfulness, in keeping
np the fals<) impression. As soon as she perceived that the
old nun was likely to observe her, she would throw h«r
arma about, or appear unconscious of what she was doing ;

;'>tj

▲WVUL DISOL0817BKII OV MABIA MONK.

falling upon a bed, or standing utock-still, until exertiona
bad been made to roose her fron. ^*a supposed lethargy.

We were once allowed to drink cider at dinner, which
was quite an extraordinary favour. Jane, howeye*, on ac-
count of her negligence of all work, was denied the privi-
lege, which she much resented. The next day, when din-
ner arrived, we began to taste our ne^ drink, but it was so
salt we could not swallow it. Tho> of us who first disco-
vered it were as usual afraid to speak ; but we set down our
cups, and looked around, till the otheTS made the same dis-
oorery, which they all soon did, and must of them in the
same manner. Some, however, at length, taken by sur-
prise, uttered some ludicrous exclamation, on tasting the
salted cider, and then an old nun, looking across, would
cry out—

' Ah ! tu casses la silence.' (Ah ; you've broken silence.)

And thus we soon got a-laughing, beyond our power of
supporting it. At recreation that day, the first question
asked by many of us was, * Uow did you like your cider P'

Jane Hay never had a fixed place to sleep in. When the
weather began to grow warm in the spring, she usually
pushed some bed out of its place, near a window, and put
her own beside it ; and when the winter approached, she
would chose a spot near the stove, and occupy it with her
bod, in spite of all remonstrance. We were all convinced
that it was generally best to yield to her.

She was often set to work in diilerent ways ; but, when-
ever she was dissatisfied with doing anything, would da-
vise some trick that would make the Superior or old nunf
drive her oft ; and whenever any suspicion was expressed
of her being in her right mind, she would say that she did
not know what she was doing ; and all the difficulty arose
from her repeating prayers too much, which wearied and
distracted her mind.

I was once directed to assist Jane Bay in shifting the
beda of the nuns. When we came to those of some of the
niteri whom she most dislikedi she said, now we will pay

<
I
a

a
b

AWITrL DIBOLOSVBKB OV MA&I4 MOVtlt.

titttm for some of the penanoM we have sulfered on their
acooant ; and taking some thistles, ahe mixed them with
tne straw. At night, the first of them that got into bed
telt the thistles, and cried out. The night-watch exclaim-
ed as usnal, * Yon are breaking silence there.' And then
another screamed as she was scratched by the thistles, and
another. The old nun then called on all who had broken
silence to rise, and ordered them to sleep under their bed«
as a penance, which they silently complied with. Jane emd
I afterwards confessed, when it was all over, and took some
trifling penance which the priest imposed.

Those nuns who fell most under the displeasure of mad
Jane Ray, as I have intimated before, were those who had
the reputation of being most ready to inform of the most
trifling faults of others, and especially those who acted
without any regard to honour, by disclosing what they had
pretended to listen to in confidence. Several of the worst-
tempered ' saints* she held in abhorrence ; and I have heard
her say, that such and such she abominated. Many a trick
did she play upon these, some of which were painful to
them in their consequences, and a good number of them
have never been traced to this day. Of all the nuns, how.
ever, none othtr was regarded by her with so much detest-
ation as St. Hypolite ; for she was always believed to hnVQ
betrayed 8t. Frances, and to have caused her murder. 6lj.fi
was looked upon by us as the voluntary cause of her death,
and of the crime whi(;h those of us committed, who, un-
willingly, took part in her execution. We, on the con-
trary, being under the worst of fears for ourselves, in case
of refusing to obey our masters and mistress, thought our-
selves chui'geable with less guilt, as unwilling assistants in
a scene which it was impossible for us to prevent or delay.
Jane has often spoke with me of the suspected informeri
and edways in terms of the greatest bitterness.

The Superior sometimes expressed commiseration for
mad Jane Ray, but I never could tell whether she renUv
beUeved her insane or not. I w^ always inclined to think^

W% AWrUL DieOLOSTTBlU OV MARIA MOMS.

Uut the WM willing to put up with aotoa of her trtcki, h««
OftUBe they Mryed to divert our minds from the painful and
depreaaing oircumitanoee in which we were placed. I knew
the Superior'! powen and habita of deception alio, and thai
■he would deceire us aa willingly aa any one elae.

Bometimea ahe proposed to aend Jane to St. Anne*a, a
place near Quebec, celebrated for the pilgrimages made to
it by persona differently afflicted. It la aupposed that some
peculiar virtue exists there, which will restore health to
the sick ; and I have heard stories told in corroboration of
the common belief.

:^- ,i«. -r', ST. AMNX'b.

Many lame and blind persons, with others, visit St.
Anne's every year, some of whom may be seen travelling
on foot, and begg^ing their food. The Superior would
iometimea say that it was a pity that a woman like Jane
Bay, capable of being so useful, should be unable to do her
duties, in consequence of a malady which she thought might
be cared by a irisit to St. Anne's.

Tet to St. Anne's Jane was never sent, and her wild and
f^Hous tricks continued as before. The rules of nleooai

I ' '>.

1
c

^
t

▲wvxn. mmjLO&vr^ or mabia moks.

bAi

I, •

9 to •

>mo
1 to

St.
filing /
roold
IJano

her
lighi

and

which the otben were lo •crupulout in oheerring, ihe M*t
•t nought ererj hoar ; uid m ior other mlee, the regarded
them with m little reepect when they itood in her way.
Hhe would now and then itep out and stop the clock bj
which our exerciMa were regulated, and eometimee in thii
manner length oied out oar recreation till near twelre. At
lait the old none began to watch againit inoh a trick, and
would ocoafionaUj go oat to aee if the dock was going.

She onoe made a reqneit that ihe might not eat with the
other nan«, which wae granted, as it aeemed to proceed from
a spirit of genoine humilitj, which made her regard her-
self as anworthj of our society.

It being most oonyenient, she was sent to the Superior's
table, to take her meals after her ; and it did not at first occur
to the Superior that Jane, in this manner, profited by the
change, by getting much better food than the rest of us.
Thus there seemed to be always something deeper than
anybody at first suspected, at the bottom of ererything
she did.

She was onoe directed to sweep a community-room, un-
der the sleeping-chamber. This office had before been as-
signed to the other nuns, as a penance ; but the Superior,
oonsidering that Jane Bay did little or nothing, determined
thus to furnish her with some employment.

She declared to us that she would not sweep it long, as
we might soon be assured. It happened that the store by
which the community-room was wanned in the winter, had
its pipe carried through the floor of our sleeping-chamber,
and thence across it in a direction opposite that in which
the pipe of our store was carried. It being then warm
weather, the hole was left unstopped. After we had all re-
tired to our beds, and while engaged in our silent prayers,
we were suddenly alarmed by a bright blaze of fljre, which
burst from the hole in the floor, and threw sparks all around
US. We thought the building was burning, and uttered
cries of terror, regardless of the penances, the fear of which
feaemlly kept OS silent.

;*'iil

vil

I
i

■'IJ

100

AWTtTL mmumxnLia ow makia notrx.

r I

The ntmoat oonfuBion prevaUed ; for although we had eo-
Ittnnly TOwed never to flee from the Convent even if it wa«
on fire, we were extremely alarmed, and could not reprmia
our feelings. We soon learnt the cauae, for the flame*
oeoaed in a moment or two, and it was found that mad
Jane Bay, after sweeping a little in the room beneath, had
■tuok a quantity of wet powder on the end of her broom,
thrust it up through the hole in the ceiling into our apart-
ment, and with a lighted paper set it on fire.

The date of this alarm I must refer to a time soon after
that of the election riots ; for I recollect that she found
means to get possession of some of the powder which was
prepared at that time for an emergency to which some
thought the Oonvent was exposed.

She once asked for pen and paper, and then the Superior
told her if she wrote to her friends she must see it. She
replied that it was for no such purx>08e ; she wanted to
write her confession, and thus make it once for all. She
wrote it, handed it to the priest, and he gave it to the Su-
perior, who read it to us. It was full of offences which she
had never oommittod, evidently written to throw ridicule
on confessions, and one of the most ludicrous productions I
ever saw.

Our bedsteads were made with very narrow boards laid
across them, on which the beds were laid. One day, while
we were in tlie bed-chambers together, she proposed that
we should misplace these boards. This was done, so that
at night nearly a dozen nuns fell down upon the floor in
getting into bed. A good deal of confusion naturally en-
sued, but the authors were not discovered. I was so con-
science-stricken, however, that a week afterwards, while
we were examining our consciences together, I told her I
must confess the sin the next day. She replied, * Do ai
you like, but you will be sorry for it.*

The next day, when we came before the Superior, I was
just going to kneel and confess, when Jane, almost without
giving me time to shut the door, threw herself at the So*

Afvut inenu>!<UR«H or mkxia mov^

10!

Il was

ithout

perior'i feet and oonleiwed the trick, imd a penanoe wa«
immediately laid npon ma for the lin I had ooncealed.

/ANH IftAT OWKVasSIKG TO THM «iirpwuii»„

There wan an oia nun who was a famous talker, whom
we used to call La M^re (Mother.) One night, Jane Bay
got up, and secretly changed the caps of several of the
nuns ; and hers among the rest. In the morning there was
great confusion, and such a scene as seldom occurred. She
was severely blamed by La Mire, having been iniormed
against by some of the nuns ; and at last became so much
enraged, that she attacked the (dd woman, and even took
ker by the throat. Ia Mtea called on all presoit to oomt

IIHI

AvrwvL vtaaumumn or ka&ia moitk.

to h«r tauistasice, and seTtral nniui interfered. Jane wiMd
the opportunitj afforded in the oonfiuion, to beat some of
her wont enemies quite seyerely* and afterward aaid, tha|
■he had intended to kill eome of the raically informers.

For a time Jane made as laugh so much at prayers, that
the Superior forbade her going down with um at morning
prayers: and she took the opportunity to sleep in the
morning. When this was found out, she was forbidden to
get into her bod again after leaTing it, and then she would
creep under it and take a nap on the floor. This she told
us of one day, but threatened us if ve erer betrayed her.
At length she was missed at breakfast, as she would some-
times OTersleep herself, and the Superior began to be more
strict, and always inquired, in the morning, whether Jane
Bay was in her place.

When the question was general none of us answered ;
but when it was addressed to some nun near her by name.

J I

' Saint Eustace, is Jane Ray in her place?' then we had
to reply.

Of all the scenes that •ccurred during my stay in the
Convent, there was none which excited the delight of Jane
more than one which took place in the chapel one day at
mass, though I never had any particular reaiton to suppose
that she had brought it about.

Some person unknown to me to this day, had put some
substance or other, of a moat nauseous smell, into the hat
of a little boy, who attended at the altar, and he, without
obeening the trick, put it upon his head. In the midst of
the ceremonies he approached some of the nuns, who were
almost suffocated with the odour ; and as he eoeasioMsUy
moved from place to place, some of them began to beekon to
him to stand further off, and to hold their noses, with looks
of disgust. The boy was quite unconscious of tha oaiue of
the difficulty, and paid them no attention, but the confn-
non soon became so great through ike distress of some, and

▲WVUL DISOLOSUBM OV MA.RIA MONK.

108

the langhing ol othen, that tha Superior noticed tba ou>
onmstanoe, and beckoned the boj to withdraw.

All attempts howeyer, to engage oa in any work, pray-
er, or meditation, were found ineffectual. Whenever tb«
drcunutanoe in the ohapel came to mind, we would laugk
oat. We had got into luch a itate, that we could not
easily reitrain ouraelvea. The Superior, yielding to no-
oessity, allowed ua recreation for the whole day.

The Superior need sometimea to aend Jane to inatmct the
norioea in their Engliah prayera. She would proceed to
the taak with all aeriouaneaa ; but aometimea ohoae the most
ridiotdoua, aa well aa irreverent paaaagea from the aonga,
and other things, which she had aometimea learned, which
would aet ua, who underatood her, laughing. One ol her
ihymea, I recollect, began with —

' The Lord of love — ^look from abort
t'pon thia turkey hen !'

One winter'a day, ahe waa aent to light a lire ; but after
aha had done ao, remarked privately to aome o< ua, * my
fingera were ao cold — ^you^ll aee if I do it again.'

The next day there was a great stir in the houae, beoaoai.
it waa aaid that mad Jane Ray had been aeiaed with a fit
while making a fixe, and she waa taken up apparently in-
aensible, and conveyed to her bed. She complained to me,
who visited her in the course of the day, that she waa like-
ly to atarve, aa food waa denied her ; and I waa persuaded
to pin a atooking under my dreas, and aecretly put food in-
to it from the table. Thia I afterwarda carried to har, and
relieved her wants.

One of the thinga which I had blamed Jane moat for, waa
a disposition to quarrel with any nun who seemed to be
winning the favour of the Superior. She would never rest
until she had brought such a one into some di£B.culty.

Jane for a time slept opposite to me, and often in the
night would riae, unobserved, and slip into my bed, to talk

r t

5|^

10# AWFUL DISCLOSURES OW MARIA MON1L

with me, which she did in a low whisper, and returned
again with equal caution.

li, ]
I

41-

JANE RAY VISITING MARIA MONK AT NIOHT.

She would tell me of the tricks she had played, and such,
as she meditated, and sometimes make me laugh so loud,
that I had much to do in the morning with begging par-
dons and doing penances.

"We were allowed but little soap ; and Jane, when she
found her supply nearly gone, would take first the piece ih«

rned

AwnruL mgmiOflrvss of maria monk.

101

such

loud,

par-

1 aha
e she

oodti And. One day there was a general search made for
a large piece that was muned ; when, soon after I had been
searched, Jane Bay passed me, and slipped it into my
pocket ; she soon after was searched heraeU , and then se-
cretly came for it again.

While I recall these particulArs of our Nunnery, and re-
fer so often to the conduct and language of one of the nuns,
I cannot speak of some things, which I believed or suspect-
ed, on account of my want of sufficient knowledge. But it
is a pity you have not Jane Ray for a witness ; she know
many things of which I am ignorant. She must be in pos-
session of facts that should be known. Her long residence
in the Oonvent, her habits of roaming about it, and of ob-
eervinig everything, must
have made her acquainted
with things which would bo
heard with interest. I al-
ways felt as if she knew
everything. She would often
go ai d listen, or look through
the crtocka into the Superior's
room, while any of the
priests were closeted with her
and sometimes would come
and tell me what she wit-
nesMed. I felt myself bound
to confess on such oocasionB,
and always did so.

She knew, however, that I only told it to the priest, or to
the Superior, and without mentioning the name of my in-
formant, which I was at liberty to withhold, so that she
wfis not found out. I often said to her, ' Don*t tell me,
Jane, for I must confess it.* She would reply, * It i» better
for you to oonfees it than for me.' I thus became, even
agaixuit my will, informed of soenai supposed by the actors
of them to be secret.
Jane E»y onoe pewuaded me to accompany hxx into th*

JANB BAT LISTKNTNO AT TUB
DOO& OF THB SUPKJUOH's
KOOX.

h ^

id,

103

AWWVh DISOLOflUBSa 09 MABIA MOIOL

Superior's room, to hide with her under the sofa, and awail
the appearance of a visitor whom she expected, that we
might orerhear what passed between them. We had been
long concealed, when the Superior came in alone, and sat
for some time ; when, fearing she might detect ns in the
stillness that prevailed, we began to repent of our temerity.
At length, however, she suddenly withdrew, and thus af-
forded us a welcome opportunity to escape.

I was passing one day through a part of the oellar, where
I had not often occasion to go, when the toe of my shoe hit
something. I tripped and fell down. I rose again, and
holding my lamp to see what had caused my fall, I found
an iron ring, fastened to a small square trap-door. This I
had the curiosity to raise, and saw four or five steps down,
but there was not light enough to see more, and I feared to
be noticed by somebody and reported to the Superior ; so,
closing the door again, I left the spot. At first I could not
imagine the use of such a passage ; but it afterwards ooour-
red to me that it might open to the subterranean passage to
the Seminary ; for I never could before account for f m ap«
pearance of many of the priests, who often appeared and
disappeared among us, particularly at night, when I knew the
gates were closed. They could, as I now saw, come up to
the door of the Superior's room at any hour ; then up the
stairs into our sleeping-room, or where they chose. And
often they were in our beds before us.

I afterwards ascertained that my conjectures were oorreot,
and that a secret communication was kept up in this manner
between these two institutions, at the end towards Ndtre
Dame street, at a considerable depth under ground. I often
afterwards met priests in the cellar, when sent therefor
ooals and other articles, as they had to pass up and down
the common oellar stairs on their way.

My wearisome daily prayers and labours, my pain of body
and depression of mind, which were so much increased by
penances I had suffered, and those which I constantly
feared, and the feelings of shame, remorse, and horrort

!i ;

▲winTL Dniai.OiiTmBii ov makia iiairx.

which •ometiiDM atom, broaght mt to a itate which I oaa-
not describe.

In the first plaoe, my frame waf enfeebLd by the nneasy
poBturet I was required to keep for lo long a time during
prayers. This alone, Ithoaght» was sufficient to under-
mine my health and destroy my life. An hour and a half
every morning I had to sit on the floor of the community-
room, xrith my feet under me, my body bent forward, and
my head hanging on one side, in a posture expressive of
great humility, it is true, but very fatiguing to keep for
suoh an unreasonable length of time. Often I found it im-
possible to avoid falling asleep in this posture, which I could
do without detection, by bending a little lower than uauhI.
The signal to rise, or tha noise made by the rising of the
other nuns, then woke me, and I got up with the rest unob-
served.

Before we took the posture just described, we had to
kneel for a long time without bending the body, keeping
quite erect, with the exception of the knees only, with the
hands together before the breast. This I found the most
distressing attitude for me, and never assumed it without
feeling a sharp pain in my chest, which I often thought
woidd soon lead me to my grave — that is, to the great com-
mon receptacle for the dead under the chapel. And this
upright kneeling posture we were obliged to resume as soon
as we rose from the half -sitting posture first mentioned, so
that I usually felt myself exhausted and near to faintJTig be-
fore the oonolnsion of morning services.

I found the meditations extremely tedious, and often dia
I sink into sleep, while we were all seated in silence on the
floor. When required to tell my meditations, as it was
thought to be of no great importance what we said, I some-
times found that I had nothing to tell but a dream, and told
that, which passed off very well.

Jane Ray appeared to be troubled still more than myself
with wandering thoughts ; and when blamed for them,
would reply, * I begin very well ; but directly I begin to

' "'li

' ti

In!

101

AWITTL DISCLOSinUa OV MA1UA MONK,

Jhink of some d!d friend of mine, and my thotighta go •
imndering from one country to another.'

Sometimes I confessed my falling a&leep ; and often ths
priests have talked to me about the sin of sleeping in the
time of meditation. At last, one of them proposed to me
that I should prick myself with a pin, whicli is often done,
and so rouse myself for a time.

My close conAnement in the Oonvent, and the want of
opportunities to breathe the open air, might hare proved
more injurious to me than they did, had I not employed a
part of my time in more active labours than those of sowing,
&c., to which I was chiefly confined. I took part oocamon-
ally in some of the heavy work, as washing, &o.

The events which I am now to relate occurred about fire
months after my admission into the Convent as a nun ; but
I csjmot fix the time with precision, as I know not of any-
thiixg that took place in the world about the same period.
The drcumstanoe I clearly remember; but as I have
elsewhere remarked, we were not accustomed to keep any
account of time.

Information was given to us one day, that another novice
was to be admitted among us ; and we were required to
remember and mention her often in our prayers, that she
might have faithfulness in the service of her holy spouse.
No information was given us concerning her beyond this
fact ; not a word about her age, name, or nation. On all
similar occasions the same course was pursued, and all that
the nuns ever learnt concerning one another was what they
might discover by being together, and which usually
amounted to little or nothing.

When the day of her admission arrived, though I did not
witness the ceremony in the chapel, it was a gratification
to us all on one account, because we wera always released
from labour, and enjoyed a great recreation day.

Our new sister, when she was introduced to the ' holy'
society of us 'saints,' proved to be young, of about the
icaddle size, and very f^ood lookin|; for a Oanadiim ; for I

AWFUL DI80L0SURBS OF MA.K1JL MONK.

109

Boon ascertained that she was one of my own countrywo-
men. The Canadian females are generally not handsome.
I never learnt her name nor anything of her history. She
had chosen St. Martin for her nun name. She was admit-
tud in the morning, and appeared melancholy all day. Thii

MELANCHOLY STATE OP MIND OP ST. MARTIN, "w: CANA-
DIAN NUN.

■'M

I observed was always the case ; and the remarks made by
others, led me to believe that they, and all they had seen,
had felt sad and miserable for a longer or shorter time.
Even the Superior, as it may be recollected, confessed to
me that she experienced the same feelings when she was re-
ceived. When bed-time arrived, she proceeded to the
chamber with the rest of us, and was assigned a bed on the
side of the room opposite my own, and a little beyond. The
nuns were all soon in bed, the usual silence ensued, and I
was making my customary mcnta? prayers, and composing
myself to sleep, when I heard the most piercing and heart-
rending shrieks proceed from our new comrade. Every nun
seemed to rise as if by one impulse, for no one could hear
such sounds, especially in such total silence, without bein^

•I

M I

AWF17L DI«CL08TntX8 Of MABXA MONK

greatly excited. A general noLte luooeeded, for many
▼oioM ipoke together, uttering cries of aorpriie, compiis-
lion, or fear. It was in vain for the night-watch to expect
ailesioe : for once we forgot rulet and penancei, and gave
Tent to our feelings, and the could do nothing but call for
the Superior.

I heard a man's roioe mingled with the cries and shrieks
ef the nun. Father Quiblier, of the Seminary, I had felt
confident, was in the Superior's room at the time when wo
retired ; and seyeral of the nuns afterwards assured me that
it was he. The Superior boop made her appearance, and in
a harsh manner commanded Bilence. I heard her threaten
gagging her, and then
say, • You are no bet-
ter than anybody else,
and if you do not obey,
you shall be sent to
the cells.'

One young girl was
taken into the Convent
during my abode there,
under peculiar circum-
stances. Iwasacquain*
ted with the whole af-
fair, as I was employed
to act a part in it.

Among the novices
was a young lady, of
about seventeen, the
daughter of an old
rich Canadian. She
had been remarkable
for nothing that I
know of, except the
liveliness of his dispo-
sition. The Superior

once expressed to us a ^a kioh cawadiajt's dauohtkb
with %t^ h*r9 feiJT tak« 4, thj 8at3 of tub ooNvwn.

AWTUL DISOLOBVUS 09 MABIA MONK.

the voil, thuufi;h the girl hersoli had aover oach into&tivm
^t I know ol Why the Superior wiahed to receive her I
could only conjecture. One reMon might have been that
■he expected to receive a cooiiiderable warn from her father.
She was, howeTer, strongly desirouB of having the girl in our
community, and one day aaid — ' Let oa take her in by a
trick, and tell the old man ihe felt too humble to take the
▼eil in public'

In obedience to the directions of the Superior we exerted
ourselves to make her contented, especially when bhe wui
first received, when we got round her and told her we had
felt so for a time, but having since become acquainted with
the happiness of a nun's life, were perfectly content, and
would never be willing to leave the Convent. An excep.
tion seemed to be made in her favour, in one respect ; for I
believe no criminal attempt was made upon her, until she
had been for some time an inmate of the nunnery.

Soon after her reception, or rather her forcible entry into
the Convent^ her father called to make inquiries about hia
daughter. The Superior spoke first with him herself, and
then called us to repeat her plausible story, which I did
with accuracy. If I had wished to say anything elfte, I
never should have dared.

We told the foolish old man, that his daughter, whom we
all affootionately loved, had long desired to become a mm,
but had been too humble to wish to appear before »pecta«
torn, and had, at her own desire, been favoured with a pri-
vate admisaion into the community.

The benefit conferred upon himself and his family, by
this act of self-consecration, I reminded him, must be truly
groat and valuable ; as every family who furnishes a priest
or a nun, is justly looked upon as receiving the peculiar
favour of heaven on that account. The old Canadian, firm-
ly believing every word I was forced to tell him, took the
event as a great blessing, and expressed the greatest readi-
ness to pay more than the customary fee to the Convent.

After the intorvifiw, he withdrew, oromising soon to re-

I HI

'^•'

:fi}

lit

AwruL DiscLomrKn ov makia monk.

turn, und pay a handsome sum of money to the Conventi
which he performed with all despatch and the greaieat

MARIi HCmH. TBLLINO HBB IKFAMOUB 8T0BT TO THB
OAKASIAN OISL's FATHBB.

V
cheerfulness. The poor girl never heard that her fathoit
nad taken the trouble to call and see her, much less did she
know anything of the imposition passed upon her. She re-
paipod w ^ Oonv««t whau 1 l«|t i| ;

, i

Awrrx ni«cTomjE*9 or if aria Mr»KK. 11 j

The joung*mi girl who erer took the reil of our tiBter.
hood, WM only fourteen yean of age, and oon«idered rnry
pioufl. She liTed but a ihort time. I wa. told that h^i«
w».s m treated by the prie.t«. and U\',r^ her death wm
in cooiiequenoe* '

■ij

Ill

AWfiTL marLoflniBfl or masia Moirm.

Oiiapter XIV.

IHTLVXKOINO irOVIOM — DIFFICULTY OF f»!«TINOIlfO FBB-
■ON* FBOM THB UNITKI> 1ITATK8 — TAL» or TH» BIHWOI
Ur THB CITY— THl BISHOP IN TH* OONVBNT — THX PBI-
BOKBBa IN TliW UXLIifl — PRACTIOS IM IMSUlHii — MABRA-
TIVU — J AN! AAT'h hymns — THS •UPBBIOA'b BBttT

nuoK.

It wu oonridered % groat duty to exert oursoWeii to infla-
enoe noTioes in favour of the Itouuizx Catholic religion ; and
different nam were, at different times, charged to do what
they could, by conversation, to make iayoorable imprea-
■iona on the mindA of some, who were particularly indicat-
ed to ua by the Superior. I often heard it remarked, that
ihoee who were influenced with the greatest diifirulty, were
young ladiet from the United Statei ; and on tome of those
great exertions were made.

Cams h which citizens of the States were said to have
been converted to the Boman Catholic faith were some-
times spoken of, and always as if tl^.ey were oonsiderod
highly important.

The Bishop, as we were told, was in the public square,
on the day of an execution, when, as he said, a stranger
looked at him in some peculiar manner, which made him
confidently believe God intended to have him converted by
his means. When he went home he wrote a letter for him,
and the next day he found him again in the same place,
and gave him Jie letter, which led to his becoming a Bo-
man Catholic. This man, it was added, proved to be a
dtisen of the States.

The Bishop, as I have remarked, was not very dignifind
on all occasions, aiod sometimes acted in saoh a mazmor aA
would not have appear^L well in public.

AWmTL DTiM)I/MnnUlf^ Of maxia hohw.

118

TH« HI8H0P PR*.

One <Uj I Miw him prnpHriu^; for nuMw ; and becAtUM h«
hud Mine dilBculty in gutting on h.i« robe*, ahowed evident
■i^iu of anger. One of the n(in« n».
nuu-kud: *TheBiahop iatso)''>g to p«ir«
form a paamonate man.* 8ome of the
other* exclaimed : ' Are yon not aah»rn-
ed to speak thue of my lord ?* And she
was rewHfded with a penance.

But it might be hoped thnt the BiAhop
would l*e fret) from the orimtMi of which
I hiiTe declared so many priests to have
btH^n guilty. I am far from ent^^rtain-
ing su'Jb charitable opinions cf him;
auii 1 had good reasonB, after a time.

1 was often inquired to sleep on a
■ofa, in thb room of the present Superior,
as 1 may have already mentioned.

One night, not long after I was first fakbo jrob mam.
introduced there for that purpose, and
within the first twelve months of my wearing the veil, hav.
ing retired as usual, at about half-past nine, not long after
we had got into bed, the alarm-bell from without, whioii
hnngs over the Superior's bed, was rung. She told me to tioe
who was there ; and going down, I heard the signal g^ven,
which I have before mentioned, a peculiar kind of hissing
sound made through the teeth. I answered with a low
* Hum — hum ;' and then opened the door. It was Bishop
Lartique, the present Bishop of Montreal. He said to me,
'Are yon a Novice or a Received F meaning a Beueived
nun. I answered, ' a Received.'

He then requested me to conduct him to the Superior's
room, which I did. He went to the bed, drew the curtainf
behind him, and I lay down again upon the sofa, until
morning, when the Superior called me, at an early hour,
about daylight, and directed me to show him the door, to
which I conducted him, and he took his departure.

I oontinoed to visit the cellar frequently, to carry up ootti

^ ':*t

! '

IM^

110

AWirUL DISOLOSmtBK OF MARIA MOAK.

for the fires, without anything more than a general irn*
pression that there were two nuna somewhere impris(,>Dod in
it. One day, while there on my usual errand, I saw a nun
dtujidjng on the right of the cellAr, in front of one of the
ceU doors I had before observed; she was apparently ♦^n-
ga^ed with something within. This attracted my atten-
tion. The door appeared to close in a smaU rtJceHH, and
waB fastened with a stout iron bolt on the outride, the end
of which was seoured by being let into a hole in the stone-
work which foimed the posts. The door, which was of
wood, was sunk a few inches beyond the stonework, which
rose and formed an arch overhead. Above the bolt was a
small window, supplied with a fine grating, which swung
open, a small bolt having been removed from it, on the out*
fdde. The nun I had observed seemed to be whispuring
v/ith some person within, through the little window ; but I
h/istened to get my coal, and left the cellar, presuming that
was the prison. When I visited the place again, being
alone, I ventured to the spot, determined to learn the truth,
presuming that the imprisoned nuns, of whom the Super-
ior had told me on my admission, were confined there. I
spoke at the window where I had seen the nun standing,
and heard a voice reply in a whisper. The apertiu-e was m
small, and the place so dark, that I could see nubody ; but
I learnt that a poor wretch was confined there a prison nr.
I feared that I might be discovered, and after a few words,
which I thought could do no harm, I withdiew.

My curiosity was now aUve to learn everything I could
about so mysterious a subject. I made a few inquiries of
8t. Xavier, who only infonaed me that they were punish-
ed for refusing to obey the Superior, Bishop, and Priesta.,
I afterwards found that the other nuns were acquainted
with the fact I had just discovered. All I corJd learn,
however, was that the prisonor in the cell whom I had just
spoken with, and another in the cell just beyond, had been
coofinad there several yeara without having been tuKen
out i but their i maes, coouezl .ns, oftences, and everything

Awvisit rfwctxt^nmia ov tiiAMh. moxk.

Ill

elfle rnlating to them, I ooolil never learn, and nm still m
ignorant of as ever. Some oonjecturod that they had tt-iao'
ed to comply vdth some of the rules of the Convent, or re-
quisitions of the Superior ; others, that they were heiresses
whose property was desired for the Convent, and who
would not consent to sign deeds of it. Some of thti nun»
infffTraed me, that the severest of their sufterings arose from
fftfir of 8up««mAtural beingts.

I often Hpoke with one of thorn in passing near their cells,
when on errands in the cellar, but never ventured to stop
ioTig, or to press my inquiries very far. B«8ido8, I found
her reserved, and little disposed to converse freely, a thing
I could not wonder at when I considered her situation, and
the character of persons aroimd her. She spoke like a v*o*
man in feeble health, and of broken spirits. I occaeionally
Biiw other nuns speaking to them, particularly at meal
titnes, when they were regularly fiirnished with food, which
was such as we ourselves ate.

llieir c^lls were occasionally cleaned, and then the doors
were open^^d. I never looked into them, but was informed
that the ground wm their only floor. I presumed that they
were furnished with straw to lie upon, as I always saw a
quantity of old straw scattered about that part of the cel-
lar, after the cells had been cleaned. I once inquired of
one of them whether they could converse together, and she
replied that they could, through a small opening between
their cells, which I could not see.

I once inquired of the one I spoke with in passing, whe-
ther she wanted anything, and she replied, ' Tell Jane Uay
I want to SCO her a moment if she can slip away.' When
I went up I took an opportunity to deliver my message to
Jane, who concerted with me a signal to be used in future,
in case a similar request should be made through me. This
was a sly wink at her with one eye, accompanied with
a slight toss of the head. She then sought an opportunity
to visit the cellar, and was soon able to hold an interview
with the poor priaonersi without being noticed by any one

118

AWTVIi hUKWOKVTLW OF UA3JA MOW.

U:,n,

' .<

it '

ii^'' '

but mysolf. I aftervard^ learnt thai mad Jane Ba^ v:i«
not oo mad but she oonld leal for thoM miBerabU beinit*,
aud oarry through measures for their oomfort. She wuuld
often viait them with sympathizing worda, and when n«>

ONB OP THB mms m thb underokoitkd cells.

ce<'^ry, conceal part of her food while at table, and secret*
ly convey it into their dungeons. Sometimes we would
combine for such an object ; and have repeatedly aided har
in thus obtaining a larger supply of food than they bad
been able to obtain from others.

I frequently thought 6f the two nuns confined in the
cells, and occasionally heard something said about them,
but very little. Whenever I vidted the cellar and thought
it uiie, I went up to the first of them and spoke a word or
two, and usually got some brief reply, without ascertaining
that any particular change took place with either of them.
The one with whom alone I ever conrersed, spoke English
perfectly well, and French I thought as well. I supposed
•hj must have been well educated, for I ooold not tell which

AWrjn. BIBOLOgUBBR OV MAMA MOIVK.

119

mw her natiTe luigua^ I remember that she frequently
naod these words when I wiahed to sa j more to her, and
which alone ahowud that she was constantly afraid of pun-
ishment, * Oh, there's somebody coming— do go away !* I
have been told that the other prisoner also spoke English.

it was impossible for me to form any curtain opinion aboat
the size or appearance of those two miserable cre;itares, tor
their oeUi were perfectly dark, and I never caught th«
slightest glimpse even of their faces. It is probable they
were women not above the middle size, and my reason for
this presumption is the following : I was sometimes appoint-
ed to lay out the daan clothes for all the nuns in the Oon-
vent on Saturday evening, and was always iirocted to lay
by two suits for the prisoners. Particular orders ware
given to select the largest sized garments for several tall
nuns ; but nothing of the kind was ever said in mUtion to
the clothes for those in the cells.

I had not been long a veiled nun, before I requested of the
Superior permission to confess to the ' Saint Bon Fasteor,'
(Holy Gt>od Shepherd) that is, the mysterious and nameless
nan whom I had heard of while a novice. I knew of several
others who had confessed to her at different times, and of
some who had sent their clothes to be touched by hex when
they were sick ; and I felt a desire to unburden my heart of
certain things, which I was loath to acknowledge to the
Superior, or any of the priests.

The Superior made me wait a little, until she could as-
certain whether the ' Saint lion Pasteur* was ready to ad-
mit me ; and, after r time, returned, and told me to enter
the old nuns* room. That apartment has twelve beds ax-
ranged like the berths of a ship, by threes ; and as each is
bnjtkd enough to receive two persons, twenty -four may be
lodged thbre, which was about the number of old nuns in
the Convent during most of my utay in it. Near an opposite
comer of the apartment was a large glass case, with no appear-
ance ol a door, or oth«r opening, in any part of it ; and in

i i

120

AWTCL PU*OM>HtrRJW OF UAEIA MOKX.

ft «'!

i ->

that oafle stood the reneriihle nan, in th^ diem of the com*
mimitv, with her thick veil spread orer her face, «» hp to
coxiceal it eiitiroly. 8he wua standing, for the place did not
allow room for mtting, and moved a little, which wan the
only sign of Ufe» as she did not sjieak. 1 fell upon my knoaa
before her, and began to confess some of my imperfecUuns,
that I might be delivered from them. She appeared to lifi*
ten to me with pfitionce, but still never rf turned a word in
reply. I became much affcu t^ as I went on ; at length be-
gan to weep bitterly : and. when I withdrew, was in tears.
It 8fv)nied to me that my heart was remarkably relieved,
after tbiit exercise ; and a}i the requests I had made, I founi.
as 1 believed, strictly fulfilled. I often, afterwards, visited
the old nnni* room for the same purpose, and with similar
results ; so that my belief in the sanctity of the nameless
nun, and my regard for her intercession, were unbounded.

What is remarkable, though I repeatedly was sent into
thai room to diuit it, or to put it in order, J rr "^ ed, thftt
Hm glass case was vacant, and no signs were to be found,
either of the nun, or of the way by which she had left it t
so that a solemn conclusion rested upon my mind, that she
had gf>ne on one of her frequent visits to heaven.

A priest would sometimes come in the da3rtime to teach
ns to sing, and this was done with some parade or stir, as if
it were C/onsidered, or meant to be considered, as a thing of
importance.

The iustructions, however, were entirely repetitions of
the words and tunes, nothing being taught even of the first
principles of the sciouco. It appeared to me that although
h^mns alone were song, the exercise was chiefly designed
for our amusement, to raise our spirits a little, which wore
apt to become depressed. Mad Jane Hay certainly usually
treated the whole thing as a matter of sport, and often ex-
cited those of us who understood English, to a great degree
of mirth. She had a very fine voice, which was so powor-
f nl as geueruUy to he heard above the rest. Sometimes she
would b» sileut when the other nuns began ; and the Supe-

AWmX D]r9CL08!7BlC«l OF MARIA MONK.

nor would often call out, * Jan« fiay, yoa don't aing.' iShe
always had Bome trifling excuie ready, and commonly ap-
peared onwilling to join the reit.

After being nrged or commanded by the Buperior, the
woald then strike up some English song, or profane paro-
dy, which was rendered ten times more ridiculous by the
ignorance of the lady Superior and the majority of the t\nv».
1 cannot help laughixig now when I rememlwr hovir obe
used to stand with perfect compoHiire, and sing.

* I wish 1 was married and nothing to rue,
With plenty of money and nothing to do/

I h

* Jane Ray, you don't sing n'ght,* the Superior wonid
01 claim. ' Oh,' she would reply with perfect ooolno(i$|

' that is the English for

' Seigneur Diea de clemence,
Becois ce grand pecheur !'

and, as sung by her, a person ignorant of the language
would naturuUy be imposed upon. It waa extremely diSi-
cult for me to conceal my laughter. I have always had
greater exertion to make in represaing it than most other
persons ; and mad Jane flay often took advantage of this.

Saturday evening usually brought with it much unplea-
sant work for some of us. We received Sacrament every
Sunday ; and in preparation for it, on Saturday evening,
we asked pardon of the Superior, and of each other, * for
the scandal we had caused them since we last received the
Sacrament,' and then asked the Superior's permission to
re<^«ive it on the following day. She inquired of each nun,
who necessarily asked h ir permission, whether she, naming
her as Saint somebody, had concealed any sin that should
hinder her receiving it ; and if the answer was in the ut ga-
tive, she granted her permission.

On {Saturday we were c'.\Uji:hi»od by a priest, bclu^ «>•

▲WFVti OJWOLOlVEia OY MAftIA MOWL

(

;ii^

■wmblgd in m oommonity-room. He Mt on tha right oi Om
doofi in » ohttbr. H« often told ue etoiiei, and IroqamiUy
enlarged on the duty of enticing noTioee into the nonnttry.
*Do 70a not feel happy/ he woald say, * now that you are
safely out of the world, and gore of heaven f But rbmem-
ber how many poor people are yet in the world. Every
notice you influence to take the black veil, will add to your
honour in heaven. TeU them 1^ "' -i^ippy you are.'

The Superior played one trick while I was in the Con-
Tent, which always pasied for one of the most admirable
she ever carried into execution. We were pretty gotxl
judges in a case of this kind ; for, as may be preBum«»d, we
were rendered familiar with the arte of deception under m>
aooompliBhed a teacher.

There was an ornament on hand in the Nunnery, of an
extraordinary kind, which wa« prized at ten pounds , but
it had been exposed to view so long, that it became damag-
ed and quite unsaleable. We were one day visited by an
old priest from the country, who was evidently somewhat
intoxicated ; and as he withdrew to go to his lodgings in
the Seminary, where the country priests often stay, tho
Superior conceived a plan for dispofimg of the old orna-
ment. * Gome,' said she, ' we will send it to the old pricsti
and swear he has bought it.'

We all approved of the ingenious device, for it evidently
classed among the pioui frauds we had so often had recom-
mended to us, both by precept and example ; and the orna-
ment was sent to him the next morning, as his property
when paid for. He soon came into the Convent, and ex-
pressed the greatest surprise that he had been charged with
purchasing such a thing, for which he had no need and no
desire.

The Superior heard his declaration with patience, but
politely insisted that it was a fair bargain ; and we then
surrounded the old priest, with the strongest assertions that
fuoh was the fact, and that nobody would have thought of
^J^OrebftBMig it w^ittt? i)e had expruialy Dngagod to take it.

I :

AWFUL DISOLOStnUM OV MASIA XOmL

Th« poor old man WM entirely put down. He was certain
of the tmth ; but what could he do to resist or diaproTe a
direct falMhood pronounced by the Superior of a Convent,
and iwom to by all her holy nuna f He finally expressed
t\» conviction that we were right : and was compelled to
pay his money.

1S4

AWvi DzaaLOfirBM ov wuua kovXi

Oliapter XV.

fTREQtniHiTT OF THB yWKKTJl' TISITt TO THl inryHJIBT—
THRZB PHBKDOM AKD CKIMHS — DIFFICULTT OP I BAHNTW*
THBia NAMKS — TflUIB HOLT B.BTitBAT'— OBJII<mOM» W'
OUA MIKDIJI — Ua4Jr« V0BD TO COUMTlIlACrr COKaeUNCS —

601CB of the priefits from the Seminary were in the Non-
nery every day and night, and often eevoral at a time. I
have seen uca:rly all of them at different times, thongh
there are about Ot^^ hundred and fifty in the district of
Montreal, 'i'here was a difference in their conduct : though
I beiieye every one of them was guilty of lioentiousn^Mie ,*
while not one did I ever see who uiaintainod a character
any way bocoming the profession of a priest. Some were
gross and degraded in a degree which few of my readers
can ev^or have imagined : and I should be unwilling to of-
fended the eye, and corrupt the heart, of any one, by an
aocoimt of their words and actions. Few imaginations ran
conceive deeds so abominable as they practised, and often
required of some of the poor women, under the fear of se-
vere punishments, and even of death. I do not hesitate to
say with the strongest confidence, that although some of
the nuns became lost to every sentimont of virtue and hon-
our, especially one of the Congregational Nunnery whom 1
have before mentioned, Saint Patrick, the greater part of
them loathed the practices to which they wore compelled to
submit, by their Superior and priests, who kept them un-
der so dreadful a bondage.

Some of the priests whom I saw I never knew by name,
and the names of the others I did not learn for a time, and
at last learnt only by accident.

AWmCTL I>tlim.0it7BBH OF MARIA MONX.

120

They weru always called * Mon P^re/ (my lather,) but
nometimea whon thoy had purchased ertmething in the oma*
itu«)Dt-ruom, they would give their real namos, with diroo-
li'tnn where it should be sent. Many namea thus learnt,
and in other ways, were whispered about from nun t>3 nun,
hjkI became pretty generally known. Several of the priosta
Home of us had seen before we entered the Convent.

Many things of which I speak, from the nature of the
<Hm, must necessarily rest chiefly upon my own word, nn-
t)i further evidence can be obtained ; but there are sr^tne
tacts for which I can appeal to the knowledge of othora.
It is commonly known in Montreal that nome of the prieHtfl
occasionally withdraw from their customary employments,
and are not to be seen for some time ; it being undorstortd
that they have retbed for religious study, meditation, and
devotion, for the improvement of their hearts. Sometimes
they are thus withdrawn from the world for three weeks :
but there is no fixed period.

This was a fact I knew before I took the veil ; for it is a
frequent onhject of remark, that such and such a Father la
on a * holy retreat.' This is a term which conveys thu idea
of a religions seclusion from the world, for sacred purposoa.
On the reappearance) of a priest after such a period, in the
church or the streets, it is natural to feel a pccniiiar impres-
sion of his devout character — an impression very diQerent
from that conveyed to the miud who knows matters as they
really are. Suspicions have been indulged by some in Ca*
nada on this subject, and facts are known by at le8,st a few.
I am able to speak from personal knowledge ; for I have
been a nun of Boeur Bourgeoise.

The priests are liable, by their dissolute habits, to occa-
rional attacks of disease, which render it necessary, or at
least prudent, to submit to medical treatment.

In the Black Nunnery they find private aocommodatiou,
lor they are free to enter one of the private hospitals when-
ever they please ; which is a room set apart on purpose for
the accommodation of the priests, and is called a retreat-

Ill

AW7UT. nxmiLMUBM OV MABIA MOfTV;.

li ! ■

room. Bat an exotwe is neofissanr to blind the pnbUo, and
this they find in th« pretence they make of being in a * Holy
Retreat.' Many such cases have I known ; and 1 oan men>
tion the names of priests who have been confined in this
Holy Retreat. They are very carefully attended by the
Superior and old nunfl, and theii diet confliRts mostly of
Tegetable soups, Ac, with but little meat, and that frrah.
I liATo seen an ioRtrumont of surgery lying upon the table
in that holy room, which is used only for particular pujr-

Father Tombeau, a Roman priest, was on one of his
holy retreats about tbe time when I left ^he Nunnery.
There are oometimes a number confin<
ed therti at the same time. The vio-
tims of these priests frequently Hhare
the same fate. .

I have often reflected how grieyou0«
ly I had been deceived in my opi-
nions of a nim*s condition I — All the
holinesL of their lives, I now saw was
merely pretended. The appearance
of sanctity and heavenly-mindedness
which they had shown among us no-
ricos, I found was only a disguise to
conceal such practices as would not be
tolerated in any decent society in the world ; and as for
joy and peace like that of heaven, which I had expected to
find among them, I learnt too well that fhey did not exist
there.

The only way in which such thoughts were counteracted,
was by the constant instructions given us by the Superior
and priests, to regard every doubt as a mortal sin. Other
faults we might have, as we were told over and over again,
which, though worthy of penances, were far less sinful
than these. For » nun to doubt that she was doing hex
duty in fulfilling her vows and oaths, was a heinous of-
tecoe, and w* were exhorted always to suppress our doabtt.

FATHER TOMDBAU.

AWtlTL niMltOtltnillR Ot MLUtTA MONlC

itr

to (M)nfoM thnm without reaerrn, «nd cheerfully irubmifc to
■evert) pen&ncee on account oi thtim, m the only mtmni of
mortii>'ing our evil dispositionii, and reaiBting the tempta*
tiouB ot the deril. Thna we learnt in a good degree to re-
RHt our mindn and oon«cieni-4w, when we felt the rimng of a
qnestion about the duty of doing anything required of lu.

To enforce thi« upon us they employed variotu meana.
Borne of the mo«t striking itoriee told ua at catechism by
the priests, were designed for this end. One of these I will
repeat. * One day/ as a priest assured us, who was hear-
ing us say the oatechism on Saturday afternoon, * as one
Wonsieur • * • *, a w*»Il-known citizen of Montreal, was
walking near the cathedral, he saw Hatan giving orders to
innumerable evil spirits who were assembled around him.
Being afraid of being seen, and yet wishing to observe
what was done, he hid himself where he could observe all
that passed. Satan despatched his devils to different parti
of the city, with directions to do their beat for him ; and
returned in a short time, bringing in reports of their suc-
cess in leading persons of different classes to the commis-
sion of various sins, which they thought would be agree-
able to their master. Satan, however, expressed his dis-
satisfaction, and ordered them out again ; but just then a
spirit from the Black Nunnery came, who had not been
stHitn before, and stated that he had been trying for seven
years to persuade one of the nuns to doubt, and had just
succeeded. Satan received the intelligence with the high-
eRt pleasure ; and turning to the spirits around him, said :
* Von have not half done your work,— he has done much
more than all of you put together.* '

In spite, however, of our instructions and warnings, our
fmrs and penances, such doubts would obtrude ; and I have
often indulged them for a time, and at length, yielding to
the belief that I was wrong in giving place to them, would
oonfess them, and undergo with cheerfulness such new
pmiAnrAP as I wns loaded with. Others too would occa-
cuii:uilly tmtertain and privately express such doubts ;

Its

kWrOL DIAOLOitTRU Or MABIA MO^CX.

(hoiiKli w*) h«d all been mont lolanmly warned by the omel
xnurdtir of Saint Franoei. Oocaaionally eome of the nan»
w«)uld go fujther, and reoiit the reetrainte of puniahment*
iuipoeed upon them ; and it was not onoommon to hear
fltroAini, MiTuotimoa of a moat piercing and terrific kind,
trom nuns suffering under discipline.

Home of my readers may feel dispoaed to exclaim a^^iiatt
mo, for believing things which will strike them afl so mon-
*troujB and abominable. To such, I would say, without
pretending to justify mysolf, — you know little of the poei-
tion in which I was placed ; in the first plaoe, ignoiant of
any other religions do<:trines, and in the second, met at
every moment by some ingenious arg^oment, and the exam-
ple of a large community, who received all the instructiotui
of the priests as of undoubted truth, and practised upon
them. Of the variety and speoiousness of the eo-gumente
xukid, you oazmot have any correct idea. They were often
m ready with repliee, examples, anecdotes, and authohtiee,
to enforce their doctrines, that it seemed to me as if they
flould never have learnt it all from books, but must have
been taught by wicke<l Hpirits. Indeed, when I reflect
upun their oonversations, 1 am astonished at their art and
addreas, and find it dilficult to account for their subtlety
and Buccees in influencing my mind, and penniadlug me to
anything they pleased. It seems to ma that hardly any-
body would be safe in their hands. If yon were to go to
confession twice, I believe you would feel very different
from what you do now. They have suoh a way of avoid*
ing one thing and speaking of anotheor, of affirming th>4,
and doubting and disputing that, of quoting authoritioe,
and speaking of wonders and miracles recently performed,
in confirmation of what they teach, as familiarly known to
persons whom they call by name, and whom they pretend
to offer as witnesses, though they never give yon un oppor-
tunity to speak with them, — these, and many other meana,
tliey use in such a way, that they always blinded my mind,
and, I should think, would blind the mind* of othen.

4WirVL DIIK-T.OMCBLJM OT MAEIA MOKX.

I8i

Obspter ZVX.

ntlATMKt<T 0» TOXmO nfPANTS Of THl! COWTFNT — TALKIlfO
IN MLRUl' — UfUSBMIKTI — OSKHMOIfdlfl AT TUB PUBLIC iM>
TIILMBNT OF DBCmAIBD KVVB — SUU1>KN DIBAFFBARAMCH UP
TH« OLD BUPHUIOIl — nrTRODUCTIOM OF THH NKW ONB —
8UFBHBT1TION — ALARM OF A NUN — OIFFIOVLTY OF COM-
MUNICATION WITH oTHRk m;N«.

It will be recollected, that I was informed immudiately af-
ter receiying the veil, that infanta were occadionally mur-
dored in the Conrent. I was one day in the nun's private
private sick room, when I had an opportunity unsoiiglit
for, of witnessing deeds of such a nature. It was, perhapo,
a month after the death of St. Frances. Two little twin
kabee, the children of St. Catherine, were brought to a
priest, who was in the room, for baptism. I was present
while tho ceremony was performed, with the Superior and
several of the old nunH, whone names I never knew, they
being (^ed Ma tantn (Aunt).

The priests took turns in attonding to confesnion und
catechism in the Conrent, ut^ually three months at a time,
though sometimes longer periods. The priest then on duty
was Father Larkin. He is a good-looking Eiiropean, and
has a brother who is a Professor in the College. Ho first
put oil upon the heads of. the infants, as is the custom be-
fore baptism. When he had baptized the children, they
were taken, ose after another, by one of the old nuns, in
the proience of us all. She pressed ber hand upon the
mcuth and nose of the first so tight that it coiild not
br>)athe, and la a few minutes, when the hand was remov .
ed, it was dead. She then took the other, and treated it la
tbo iBiC6 way. No sound was heard, and both the ci il-
dren wen oocpses. The gritatest in-liiCerence wh6 SiScw;r7

KvH

t :

180

AWFFL DI8CL08UKBS OV MARIA MONK.

;'^

\ .*.

-A

by all present diiring this operation ; lor all, as I well knew,
woru long ac^customed to such scoaos. The little bodies
were then taken into the cellar, thrown into the pit I have
mentioned, and covered with a quantity of lime.

I aiterwardB saw a new-born infant treated in the same
manner, in the same pluce ; but the actors in this scene I
choose not to name, nor the circumstances, as everything
connected with it is of a peculiarly trying and painful ni*
ture to my own feelings.

These were the only instances of infanticide I witnessed ;
and it seemed to be merely owing to accident that I wsui
then present. So far as I know there were no pains taken to
preserve secrecy on this subject ; that is, I saw no attempt
made to keep any inmate of the Convent in ignorance of
the murder of the children. On the contrary, others were
told, aa well as myself, on their first admission as veiled
nuns, that all infants bom in the plac« were baptized and
killed, without loss of time ; and I had been called to wit-
ness the murder of the three just mentioned, only because I
happened to be in the room at the time.

That others were Idlled in the same mamer, during my
stay in the nunnery, I am well assured.

Uow many there were I cannot tell, and having taken
no account of those I heard of, I cannot speak with pr';;ci-
sion ; I believe, however, that I learnt through nuns, that
at least eighteen or twenty uoiants were smothered, and se-
cretly buried in the cellar, while I was a nun.

One of the effects of the weariness of our bodies and
minds, was our pronenoss to talk in our sleep. It was both
ludicrous and painful to hear the nuns repeat their prayers
in the course of the night, as they frequently did in their
dreams. Kequired to keep our minds continually on the
gtrotch, both in watching our conduct, in remembering the
rulee and our prayers, under the fear of the consequences
of any neglect, when we closed our eyes in sleep, we often
went over again the scenes of the day, and it was no un-
oomiooa thing for me to hear a nun repeat 0x10 or tw^ of

AWFUL DISOLOIUBV Of UAMIA MOKX.

Ill

knew,

bodies
1 have

B same
cene I
y thing
ixl TH*

leased ;

I was
&ken to
itteinpt
ranee of
irs were
I veiled
zed and

to wit-
jcause I

ing my

^ taken

prtjci-
ns, that

and Be-
lies and
i^as both

prayers
in their

on the
ring the
jquencei
we otten
no un-

tWdOf

her long exercises in the dead of the night. Sometimes by
the time she had finished, another, in a diflerent part of the
room, would happen to take a similar turn, and commence
ft similar recitation; and I haye known cases in which
seyeral such unconsoioiui txeroiies were performed, all with-
in an hour or two.

We had now and then a recreation day, when we were
relieved from our customary labour, and from all prayers
except those for morning and evening, and the short ones
said at every striking of the clock, llie greater part of our
time was then occupied with diilerent games, particularly
backgammon and draughts, and in such conversation as did
not relate to our past lives, and the outside of the Convent.
Sometimes, however, our sports would be interrupted on
such days by the entrance of one of the priests, who would
come in and propose that his fSte, the birthday of his pa-
tron saint, should be kept by * the saints.' We saints 1

Several nuns died at different times while I was in the
Convent ; how many, I cannot say, but there was a consi-
derable number. I might rather say many in proportion
to the number in the nunnery. The proportion of deaths
I am sure was very large. There were always some in the
nuns' sick-room, and several interments took place in the
chapel.

When a Black Nun is dead, the corpse is dressed as if
living, and placed in the chapel in a sitting posture, within
the railing round the altar, with a book in hand as if read-
ing. Persons are then freely admitted from the street, and
some of them read and pray before it. No particular no-
toriety is given, I believe, to this exhibition out of the
Convent, but such a case usually excites some attention.

The living nuns are required to say prayers for the de-
livery of their deceased sister from purgatory, being in-
formed, as in all other such cases, that if she is not there,
and has no need of our intercession, our prayers are in no
danger of being thrown away, as they will bo set down to
|to» Mcoont ol some of our deceased friends, or at least to

182

AWFirii »XS01iOnF»EH 0» MARIA MOW*.

lit

m&i'

itKJ'

that of the souIb which have no acquaintancos to pray iat
them.

It was customary for tui occaBionally to kneel before a
dead ntm thus seated in the chapel, and I huve often per>
formed that task. It was always painful, for the ghastly
oo\mt<:^nance being seen whenever I raised my eyes, and the
feeling that the position and dress were entirely opposed to
every idea of propriety in such a case, always made me
melancholy.

The Superior sometimes left the Convent, and was ab-
sent for an hour, or several hours at a time, but we never
knew of it until she had returned, and were not Lnfonntod

KNiSAKcn TO mn PX1X8TI' ri»ip<<

Atrytn DiscfM>si7Bss or hasia xonil

188

where she had been. I one day had reaion to prefuxue thai
Hbe hnd recently paid a T«i»it to the prieats* {arm, though I
had not direct OTidenoe that such was the fact. The
phetfto' farm is a fine tract of land belonging to the Se.
minary, a little distance from the city, near the Lachine
road, with a large old-fashioned edifice upon it. I hap-
pened to be in the Superior's room on the day alluded to,
when she made some remarks on the plainneso and poverty
of her fumitura. I replied that she was not proud, and
coiild not be dissatisfied on that account ; she answered,—
* No ; but it I was, how much superior is the iumiture at
the priests' farm ; the poorest room there is f urmahod bet'
ter than the best of mine.'

I vriis ova day meiiding the firo in the Saperior's room,
when a priest was conversing with her on the scarcity of
money ; and I heard him say that very little money was re-
ceived by the priests for prayers, but that the principal
part came with penances and absolutions.

One of the most remarkable and unaccountable things
that happened in the 'Convent, was tlie disappeaiance of the
old Superior. She had pert'ormod
her customary part during the day,
and had acted and appeared just as
u£)vul. 8he had shown no symptoms
of ill health, met with uo particular
dilSculty in conducting business, and
no agitation, anxiety, or gloom had
bt^eu noticed in her conduct. We
bad no reason to suppose that dur-
ing that day she huii expected any-
thing particular to occur, any more
than the rest of us. After the close
of our 4:nstomary labours and evening
iMCt'ireA, she diNniissea us to retire to thx old mothbb ev.
bed, AXKctl> 10 her usual manner. px&iok.

T)ie neyt morning the beU rang, we
spnfjig fnim our beda, hurried on otjr rlothM, M usual, wr4

»■

»'

■'Hi

cit

184

AWFUL DISOLOSVBBB OF KABIA MONK.

proceeded to the oommimity-room in doable line, to
menoe the morning exeroiaei. There, to our lurprise, we
found Bishop Lartiqae ; but ihe Superior waa nowhere to
be seen. The Bishop soon addroMed ni, instead of her,
and informed ns, that a lady near him, whom he presented
to us, was now the Saper'>r of the Oonrent, and enjoined
upon us the same respect and obedience which we paid to
her predecessor.

The lady he introduced to us was one of our oldest nuns,
Saiat Du***, a Tery large, fleshy woman, with swelled
limbs, which rendered her very slow in walking, and often
gave her great distress.
Not a word was drop-
ped from which we
could conjecture the
cause of this change,
nor of the fate of the
old Superior. I took
the first opportunity to
inquire of one of the
nuus, whom I dared to
talk to, what had be-
come of her ; but I
found them as ignorant |
as myself, though sus-
picious that sho had I
been murdered by order |
of the Bishop. Never '
did I obtain any light
on her mysterious dis-
appearance. I am confident, however, that if the Bishop
wished to get rid of her privately, and by foul means, he
had ample opportunities and power at his command. Jane
Ray, as usual, could not allow such an occurrence to pass
by without intimating her own suspicions more plainly
than any other of the nuns would h&ve dared to do. 8h*

THE NEW MOTHBB SUPERlOll.

AWrUL DISCLOSnUM OF MARIA MONK.

ISft

•pokn out one day in the community -room, and said, ' I'm
going to have a hunt in the cellar for my old Superior.'

' HuBh, Jane Bay !' exclaimed iome of the nuns, 'yoa*U
be punished.*

' My mother used to tell me,* replied Jane, ' never to bo
afraid of the face of man.*

It cannot be thought utrange that we were lupemtitioQB.
Some were more easily terrified than others by unaccount-
able sights and sounds ; but all of us believed in the power
and occasional appearance of spirits, and wens ready to look
for them at almost any time. I have seen several instances
of alarm caused by such superstition, and have experienced
it myself more than once. I was one day sitting mending
aprons, beside one of the old nuns, in the oommunity-room,
while the litanies were repeating : as I was very eas;^ to
laugh. Saint Ignace, or Agnes, came in, walked up to her
with much agitation, and began to whisper in her ear. She
usually talked but little, and that made me more curious to
know what was the matter. I overheard her say to the
old nun, in much alarm, that in the cellar from which she
had just returned, she had heard the most dreadful groans
that ever came from any human being. This was enough
to give me uneasiness. I could not account for the appear-
ance of an evil spirit in any part of the Convent, for I had
been assured that the only one ever known there was that
of the nun who had died with an unconfessed sin ; and that
others were kept at a distance by the holy water that was
rather profusely used in different parts of the nunnery.
Still, I presumed that the sounds heard by Saint Ignace
must have proceeded from some devil, and I felt great
dread at the thought of visiting the cellar again. I deter-
mined to seek further information of the terrified nun, but
when I addressed her on the subject, at recreation-time, the
first opportunity I could find, she replied, that I was al-
ways trying to make her break silence, and walked off to
another group in the room, so that I could obtain so satir
factio«.

186

▲WrTL DISCLOSURES OV MARIA MONK.

It ii r«imaTkable that in our nunnery, we were almofi
entirely cut off from the means of knowing anything even
of each other. There
were many nuns whom
I know nothing of to
this day, after having
been in the same rooms
with them every day
and night for four
years. There was a
nun, whom I suppou-
ed to be in the Con-
vent, and whom I was
anxious to ItMtrn some-
thing about from the
time of my entrance as
A novice ; but I never
was able to learn any-
thing concerning her,
not even whether she
was in the nunnery or
not, whether alive or
dead. She was the
daughter of a rich fa-
mily, residing at Point
aux Trembles, of whom
I had heard my mo-
ther speak before I
entered the Convent.
The name of her fa-
mily I think was La-
f>iyette, and she was

thought to be from Europe. She was known to have taken
the Black Veil ; but as I was not acquainted with the Saint
she had aiisimiod, and I could not describe her in 'the
world,' all my inquiries and obseirvations proved entirely in
rain.

MISS LAFATBTTX.

▲WTUL DII90L081T11S;8 OF MAKIA MONK.

187

Jmofl
I even

^ .

I had keard beiore my outi-ancKj iuiio the Convent, that
one oi the nuns had ioade her escape from it daring tb . last
war, and once inquired about her of the Superior. She ad-
mitted that inch was the fact : but I was never able to
learn any particulars concerning her name» origiOi or man-
ner oi escape.

./.

akeu
^aint
<the
lyin

116

▲WIUL DISOLOHURM OF MAEIA MOKK.

\M..
■ r ■

\li'.-

I
>

Cliapter XVII.

NSAPPBARANOX OF JOrNB — BT. PISRBB— OAO« — MT TBM-
I'O&ABT OONFINKMKNI* IN A OSLL— THB OHOLSRA GXA-
■ON— HOW TO ATOID IT— OOOUPATIONS IN THK OON-
▼XNT DVBINO THE FE8TILBNCB— MANITrAOTUBK OF WAX
OANSLBS — THB BLKOTION BIOTS — ALABM AMONG THB
HTTNS—PEBPARATIONB FOR DBFBNOB— FBNAN0E8.

1 AM unable to Bay how many nuns disappeared while I was
in the Convent. There were several. One was a young

V. piBBU, B«roR« mrrx&mo tum ooirriNT.

AWFUL BUOLOaVKlB 09 MaJUA MOKK.

181

Udy called St. Fiam, I think, bat luu not oertain of h«r
name. There were two nuna by thii name. I had known
her ae a norioe with me. She had been a norioe about two
yuan and a half before I became one. She was rather large
without being tall, and had rather dark hair and eyee. She
disappeared unaccountably, and nothing was laid ol her
except what I heard in whiipere from a few of the nuni, ae
we found momenta when we could ipeak unobserved.

Some told me they thought she must hare left the Con-
vent ; and I might have supposed so, had I not some time
afterwards found some of her things lying about, which she
would, in such a ease, doubtless have taken with her. I
had never Imown anything more of her than what I oould
observe or conjecture. I had always, however, the idea
that her parents or friends were wealthy, for she some-
timee received clothes and other things which were •'ery
rich.

Another nun named Bt. Paul, died suddenly, but as in
other cases, we knew so little, or rather were so entirely ig<
norant of the cause and circumstances, that we could only
conjecture ; and being forbidden to speak freely upon that
or any other subject, thought little about it. I have men-
tioned that a number of veiled nmis thus mysteriously diS"
appeared during my residence among them. I cannot per.
haps recall them all, but I am confident there were as many
as five, and I think more. All that we knew in such cases
was, that one of our number who appeared as usual when
last observed, was nowhere to be seen, and never seen
again. — Mad Jane Bay, on several such occasions, would
indulge in her bold, and, as we thought, dangerous re-
marks. She had intimated that some of those, who had
been for some time in the Gonvent, were by some means
removed to make room for new ones ; and it was generally
the fact, that the disappearance of one and the introduc-
tion of another into our community, were nearly at the
■ame time. I hav» repeatedly heard Jane Bay say, witu

1 1

'■I

143

▲WTUI* nUMJLOflirUHl t>V UAftXM HOrtfU

oae of hex agui&aukt looki, ' Wlun jon KppMcr, iooiabody
elfK> diiiuppaan !'

It IB unploasant amough to diitiDM or tortnr* on«*t mU ;
but ther« ia fomethiim; wone in being tonnented by otben,
eepeciidly when they resort to force, and thow » pliuanre in
compelling you, and leave yon no hope to eacape, or oppor-
tunity to reiiat. I had seen the gagi repeatedly in use,
and sometimes applied with a roughness which seemed ra-
ther inhuman ; but it is one thing to see and another thing
to feel. Ilxey wore ready to recommend a resort to oom-
pulsory measiires, and ever ready to run for the gags.
These were kept in one of the community-rooms, in a
drawer between two closets; and there a stock of about
fifty of them were always kept in deposit. Sometimes a
number of nuns would prove refractory at a time ; &ad I
have seen battleH commenceid in which several appeared om
both sides. The disobedient were, however, soon over-
powered ; and to prevent their screams being heard beyona
th.o walls, gagging commenced immediately. I have seen
half a dozen lying gagged and boimd at once.

I have been subjected to the same state of involuntary si.
lence more than once ; for sometimes I became excited to a
state of desperation by the measures used against me, and
then conducted myself in a manner perhaps not lees violent
than Bome othera My hands have been tied behind me,
und a gag put into my mouth, sometimes with such force
and rudeness as to sep&rate my lips, and cause the blood to
flow freely.

Treatment of this kind is apt to teach submission ; anc"
many times I have acquiesced under orders receivod, or
wishes expressed, with a fear of a recurrence to ttome severe
measures.

One day I had incurred the anger of the Superior in a
gneater degree than lomial, and it was ordered that I should
hf. taken to one of the cells. I was taken by some of she
n^ms, bound and gagged, (wrried down the stairs into the
oeJiar, and hid nyotn th« ibor. Not long afterwards I ia-

Atinn buoumruM ov mama monk^

1«1

dnoad cce of th« niuui to r«>que«t the Superior to come down
And tKMt me ; aud on making loine aoknowledgment, I was
reltiaaod. I will, howcrer, relate this story rather more in
detail.

On that day I had been engaged with Jane Ray, in car-
rying into effect a plan ol reyenge upon another person,
when I feU under the vindictiTe spirit ol some of the old
nuns, and suftered neTerely. The Superior ordered me to
the ceils, and a scene of Tiolence commenced which I will
not attempt to describe, nor the precise circumstancas
which led to it. Suffice it to say, that after I had exhaust-
ed all my strength, by resisting as long as I could, against
several nuns, I had my hands drawn behind my back, a
Idaihem band pabsed first round my thumbs, then round
my hands, and then round my waist and fastened. This
w:is drawn so tight that it cut through the flesh of my
thumbs, makiug wounds, the scars of which still remain.
A gag wi) H then forced into my mouths, not indeed so vio-
lently HH it sometimes was, but roughly enough; after
which 1 was taken by main force, and carried down into
the cellar, across it almost to the opposite extremity, and
brought to the last of the second range of cells on the left
hand. The door was opened, and 1 wa* thrown in with
violeoco, and left alone, the door being iium«diately closed,
and bolted on the
outside. The bare
ground was under
mu, cold and hard
as if it had been
beaten even. I
lay still in the
position in which
I had fallen, as it
would have been
diiiicult for me to

move, confined as I was, and exhausted by my exertions ;
md tlM shock oj oay fall, and my wretched st4te of Ueijpor'

INSTRVMBNTS OF TORTURB IN XJSl IN
TUB COMVBM.

■.HI

in-

Ill

kWrUh DIBOLOMUKIW OW MAEIA MOKV.

•"5

' i'

im I '

ation and fear, diBmclinfid m* from any further atttmpt. I
wa« in almoat tot&l diirknofla, thor* being nothing ptroepti-
ble •xc«pt a ilight glimmer of light whioh came in through
the little window far abore me.

How long I remained in that condition I can only oon-
Jecture. It teemed to me a long time, and muat hare b(Mn
two or three hours. I did not moTei, expecting to die there,
and in a state of distress which I cannot describe, from the
tight bondage about my hands, and the gag holding my
jaws apart at their greatest eztention. I am ooniident I
must hare died before morning, if , as 1 then expocted, I
had been left there all night. By-acd-bye, however, the
bolt was drawn, the door opened, and Jane liay spoke to
me in a tone of kindness.

She had taken an opportunity to slip into the cellar un-
noticed, on purpose to see me. She unbound the gag, took
it out uf my mouth, and told me she would do anything to
get me out of the dungeon. If she had had the bringing
of me down she would not hare thrust me in so bnitiiily,
and aha would be resented on those who had. She offered
to throw herself upon her knees before the Superior, and
bog her forgiveness. To this I would not consent ; but
told her to ask the Superior to come to me, as I wisheii to
speak to her. This I had no idea she would condeHcend to
do ; but Jane had not been long gone before the Superior
oame, and asked if I repented in the sight of God for whut
I had done. I replied in the affirmative ; and after a le<>
ture of some length on the pain I had given the Virgin
Mary by my conduct, she asked whether I was willing to
ask pardon of all the nuns for the scandal I had caused them
by my behaviour. To this I made no objection ; and I
was then released from my prison and my bonds, went up
to the community-room, and kneeling before all the oiyters
in succession, begged the forgiveness and prayers of each.

Among the marks which I still bear of the wounds re-
OMved from penances and riolence, are the scars left by the
\^% with which I rapefttedly tortured myself, for the mor*

kWWUL DtSOLOfVKM OV MABIA MOITK.

Ill

tifloation of my •plrit. Thew f mort dlitinot on my

Bid* : for although the band, which wat four or flra inchei

in breadth, and extended round the waist, jfrae ituck full of

■harp iron pointa in all parti,

it waa sometimee crowded

most agaiuBt my tide, by

resting in my ohair, and

then the woundfl were uBoal-

ly deeper there than any-
where el«e.
My thumbs were several

times out severely by the

tight drawing of the band

used to confine my armB ;

and scan are still visible
upon them.

The rough gagging which
I several times endured
wounded my lips very much ;
for it was common, in that
operation, to thrust the gag virgin mart.

hard against the toeth, and catch one or both the lips,
which were sometimes cruelly cut. The object was to stop
the screams made by the offender, as soon as possible ; and
some of the old nuns delighted in tormenting us. A ^ug
was once forced into my mouth, which had a large splinter
upon it ; and this cut through my under lip, in front, lear-
ing to this day a scar about half an inch long. The same
lip wa« several times wounded as well as the other ; but one
day worse than ever, when a narrow piece was cut off from
the left side of it, by being pinched between the gag and
the under fore- teeth ; and this has left an inequality in it
which is still Tery observable.

One of the most shocking storiea I heard, of erents that
occurred in the nuxmery before my acquaintance with it,
was the following, which was told me by Jane Bay. What
ui uncowTncn, I can fix the date when 1 heard it. It waf

^li

144

AwruL DiecLMArKJM cnr mMt.\A MOfrx.

on New Tear'g Day, 1834. The o«remoiu««, ciuitomary in
the eaxly part of that day, had been perf ormod ; after maM,
in the morning, the Superior had ihaken hands with all the
nunB, and given xxb her blessing, for aha was said to have
received power from heaven to do so once a year, and then
on the first day of the year. Besides this, cakes, raisins,
&c., ore diBtri bated to the nuns on that day.

While in the community-room, I had taken a seat just
within the cupboard-door, where I often found a partial
shelter from observation with Jane, when a oonvemation
incidentally began betwe^a us. Our practice often wa^i, u>
take places there beside one of the old nuns, awaiting the
time when she would go away for a little while, and leave
us partially screened from the observation of others. On
that occasion, Jane and I were loft for a time alone ; when,
aiter some discourije on suicide, she remarked that three
nuns once killed themselves in the Convent. This happen,
ed, she said, not long after her reception, and I knew,
therefore, that it was several years before I had become a
^'ivice. Three j^oung ladies, she informed me, took tlie
veil together, or very near the same time, I am not certain
which. 1 kn(j\v they have four robes in the Convont, to be
worn during the ceremony of taking the veil : but 1 nevor
have seen more than (me of them used at a time.

Two of the new nuns were sisters, and the other their
cousin. They had been received but a fow days, when in-
formation was given one morning, that they had been found
dead in their beds, amid a profusion of blood. Jane llay
said she saw their corpses, and that they appeared to have
killed themselves by opening veins in their arms with a
knife they had obtained, and all had bled to death together.
What was extraordinary, Jane Ray added, that she had
heard no noise, and she believed nobody had suspo<;ted that
anything was wrong during the night. St Hypolite, how-
ever, had stated, that she had found them in the morning,
after the other nuns bad gone to pi-ayen, lying lifeless ia
theii beds.

AWFTJL DTHnLORtTRRK OF MARIA MOVR

their

ti in-

ound

llay

xuve

th a

ther.

had

that

For tome reason or othar, their death watt not made
pi.blio ; but their bodies, instead of being exhibited in full
dress, in the chapel, and afterwards interred with solemnity
beneath it, were taken unceremoniously into the cellar, and
thrown into the hole I have so often mentioned.

There were a few instances, and only a few, in which we
knew anything that was happening in the world ; and even
then our knowlfNige did not extend out of the city. I can
recall but three occasions of this kind. Two of them were
when the cholera prevailed in Montreal ; and the other was
the election riots. The appearance of the cholera, in both
seasons of its ravages, gave us abundance of oconpHtion.
Indeed, we were more borne down by hard labour at ilivm
timett, than ever before or afterwards during my stay. The
Pope had given early notice that the burning of wax cfiudlns
would afford protection from the disease, because, so long
as any person continued to burn one, the Virgin Mary
would intercede for him. No sooner, therefore, had the
alarming disease made its appearance in Montreal, than a
long wax candle was lighted in the Convent, for each of
the inmates, »o that all parts of it in use were artificially
illuminated day and night. Thus a groat many candles
were constantly burning, which were to be replaced from
those manufactured by the nuns. But this was a trifle.
The Pope's message having been promugated in the Grey
N 'innery, and to Catholics at large through the pulpit, an
extmordinary demand was created for wax candles, to sup-
ply which we were principally depended upon. All who
could possibly be employed in making them were, there-
fore, set to work, and I, among the rest, assisted in differ-
ent departments, and witnessed all.

Numbers of the nuns had long been familar with the
business ; for a very considerable amouut of wax had been
annually manufactured in the Convent ; but now the works
were much extended, and other occupations in a great de-
IfTMe lH"i Haide. Ijarge quantities of wax were received in
tius ttaildui^, which was said to have been imp<jrted from

:;ii

■'*:

m.'

III

140

AWVUL DtlKnXMTTBBB OV MARIA MOlfK.

;)> .: I

England; kettles were placed in some of the working-
rooma, in whiuii it was clarided by heat over ooal Area, and
when prepared, the procdaa at dipping oouunenoed. The
wicks, which ware quite lonc^, wore placed, hanging upon a
reel, taken up and dipped in snccetiaion, until after many
alow revolutionfl of the reel, the candles were of the proper
size. They were then taken to a part of the room where
tabJbii were prepared ^or rolling them smooth. I*hi8 is done
by paiwing a roller over tham, until they beuam« even and
poIiAhed ; after <«rhioh they are laid by lor ttale. These
prooesaes caused a constant biutle in several of the rooud ;
and the melancholy reports from without, of the ravages
of the cholera, with the uno«rtainty of what might be the
result with us, notwithstanding the promised inCenHMision
of the Virgin, and the brilliant lights constantly burning
in such numbers around us, impressed the scenes I used to
witness very deeply on my mind. I had very little doubti
myself, of the strict truth of the story we had heard about
the security conferred upon those who burnt candles, and
yet I sometimes had serious fears arise in my mind. These
thoughts, however, I did my utmost to regard as great sins,
and evidences of my own want of faith.

It was during that period that I formed a partial aoquain*
tanoe witli several Grey Nuns, who UMed to come frequent-
iy for supplies of candles for their Convent. I had no op-
portunity to converse with them, except so far as the pur-
chase and sale of the articles they required. I became fa-
miliar with their countenances and appearances, but was
unable to j udge of their characters or feelings. Concerning
the rules and habits prevailing in the Grey Nunnery, 1
therefore remained as ignorant as if I had been a thousand
miles off ; and they had no better opportunity to learn any-
thing of us, beyond what they could see around them in the
room where the candJes were sold.

We supplied the Congregational Nunnery also with wax
candles, as I before remarked ; and in both these institu*
lioiM, i« was understood, a constant illomination was kd|il

▲WVUL DUOLOSVIUUt Or MAKlA MOHK.

117

orkixiif-
'ea, iuad
. Tha
; upo0 a
r many
I proper
a whore
i \t done
iven and
TheiStt
) rooma;

ravagafl
tt Ixi the
enMiuision

burning
[ oaed to
le doubt,
urd about
iles, and
Theee
reat ains,

acquain-

frequent-

d no op-

the pur-

icame ia-

but wa»
Dnoeming
innery» 1

thotisand
earn any-
Lom in the

with wax
) inntitu*
wttfl kepi

ap. Oitimnn were also fret^uently nuuuuK in to bay (han-
dles in Mrent and aiuhH quantiUea, «o that the bui»neH» of
•tore-keeping was far more laborioa« than tx»mroun.

We were confirmed in our faith in the iuterueeaion of the
Virgin, when we found that we remained aafe from the
cholera : and it is a remarkable fact, that not one case of
that disease existed in the Nunnery, during either of th»
seaxons in which it proved so fatal in the city.

When the election riots prevailed at Montreal, the city
was thrown into tceneral alarm ; we heard some reports
fro»» day to day, which made us •mxious for ourselves.
Nothing, however, gave me any nerjons thoughts, until I
ftaw unconmion movements in aotnf parts of the Nuiuiery,
and ascertained, to my own satisiaction, that there whs a
laTf*. Qjuantity of gunpowder «tored in some secret place
wj. e walls, and that some of it was removed, or pre-

pare 2 iof use, under the direction of the Suptir ior.

P^mances. — I have mentioned several penances in differ-
ent parts of this narrution, which we sometimes had to per-
foi-m. There is u fpctit variety of them ; and, while some,
though trilling in appearance, becaiae very painful, by long
endurance or fre<^ uent repetition, others are severe in their
nature, and never would be submitted to, unless, through
fear of something wome, or a real belief in their e*£ca(-y to
remove guilt. I will mention here such as I recollect,
which can be named without oilending a virtuous ear ; for
some there were, which, although 1 have been compelled
to submit to, either by a miMled conscience, or the f^ar of
severe punishment, now that I am bettor able to judge of
my duties, and at liberty to act, 1 would not mention or de-
scribe.

Kissing the floor is a very common pepiuice : kneeling
and kissing the feet of the other nuns is another ; as are
kneeling on hard peas, and walkmg with them in the shofKi.
We had repeatedly to walk on our knees through the sub-
terranean passage, leading t'> the (Jongregstional Nuxmery ;

148

AtVTTTL DlKihWVKWB OF MARIA MUNC

and tioiaetimttH to ent our meals with u rope round oar
ntjcka. SometiineB we were fed only with auch things m
we m6flt disliked. Gktrlic was given to me on this account,
because T had a strong antipathy against it.
Eels wore repeatedly given some of us, becauBe we felt

THB o(X'Asion.Uj pood ov thb CONVKNV

an unconquerable repu^ance to them, on account of reports
we heard of their feeding on dead carciujes in the river St.
Lawrence. It wua no uncommon thing for us to be requir-
ed to drink the water in which the Superior had washed her
feet. Sometimes we were required to brand ourselves vnth
a hot iron, so as to leave scars ; at other times, to whip our
naked flesh with several small rods, before a private altar,
until we drew blood. I can assert, with the perfect know-
ledge of the fact, that many of the nuns bear the scars of
these wounds.

One of the penances was to stand for a length of time
with our anas extended, in imitation ot the Saviour v>n tiic

OUH MAV10V& ON HIS PUOORHRH TO THK PLACB OW
OVUOXVDLIOM.

AWlTHL DIHOLOBUBBS OF HABIA MONK.

Orofw. The Chemin de la croia:, or Road to tho Ooss, i>»
in tact, ft penance, though it consists of a variety ol pro-
stxstions, Math tim repetition of many prayers, occupying
two or three houm. This we had to perform frequently
gfting to chapel, and falling before each chapelle in succes-
sion, at each time commemorating some particular act or
circtimstance reported of the Saviour's progress to the pLico
of his cruciAxiou.

Sometimes we were obliged to sleep on the iloor in tho
wintor, with nothing over us but a single sheet ; and some-
times to chew a piet^e of window glass to a fine powder, in
the presence of the 8up«rior.

We had sometimes to wear a leathern belt stuck full of
sharp metallic points, roimd our waists and the upper part
of our arms, bound on so tight that they penetrated the
flesh, and drew blood.

Some of the penances were so severe, that they seemed
too much to be endured ; and when they were imposed, the
nuns who were to sufier them showed the most violent
repugnance. They would often resist, and still oftener ex>
press their opposition by exclamations and screams.

Never, however, was any noise heard from them for a
long time, for there was a rcmt>dy always ready to be ap-
plied in oasei of the kind. The gag which was put into the
mouth of the unfortunate Saint Frances, had been brought
from a place where there were forty or fifty others of differ*
ent f«hapes and sizes. These I have seen in their deposi-
tory, which is a drawer between two closets, in one of the
community-rooms. Whenever any loud noise was ma.de,
one of these instruments was demanded, and gagging com-
mencod at once. I have known many instances, and some-
times five or six nuns gagged at once. Sometimes they
would become so much excited before they could be bound
and gagged, that considerable force was necessary to be
exerted ; and I have Heen the blood flowing from moutha
into which the gag had been thrust with violence.

( !•

r^'

,,»;;•

AWFUL DISCLOSURRS OF MAKIA MONK.

IV'

Indeed I ought to know something of this tl^partment oi
nunnery discipline ; I have had it tried upoa myself, and
can hear witness that it is not only moat humiliating and
oppressive, hut often extremely palaful. The mouth iji
kept forced open, and the straining of the jaws at their ut-
most stretch, for a considerahle time, is very distressing.

One of the worst punishments which I ever saw inflicted,
was that with the cap ; and yet some of the old nuns were
permitted to inflict it at their pleasure. I have repeatedly
known them to go for a cap, when one of our number had
transgressed a rule, sometimes though it were a very un-
important one. These caps were kept in a cupboard in the
old nuns' room, whence they were brought when wanted.

They were small, made of a reddish looking leather, fit-
ted closely to the head, and fastened under the chin with a
kind of buckle. It was the common practice to tie the
nun's hands behind, and gag her before the cap was put on
to prevent noise and resistance. I never saw it worn by
any one for a moment, without throwing them into severe
sufferings. If permitted, they would scream in the most
shocking manner, and always writhed as much as their con-
finement would allow. I can speak from personal know-
ledge of this punishment, as I have endured it more than
once ; and yet I have no idea of the cause of the pain. T
never examined one of the -caps, nor saw the inside, for they
are always brought and taken away quickly ; but although
the first sensation was that of coolness, it was hardly put on
my head before a violent and indiscribable sensation began,
like that of a blister, only much more insupportable ; and
this continued until it was removed. It would produce
such an acute pain as to throw us into convulsions, and I
think no human being could endure it for an hour. After
this punishment, we felt its efEect through the system for
many days. Having once known what it was by experi-
ence, I held the cap in dread, and whenever I was con-
dtnatd to iwitr the pwnifthiaiiBt agAtA« felt readv to do

twm ttimtmuM ov mar(a Momc.

101

naytliing lo avoid it. But when tied and gagged, with
the cap on my head again, I could only sink upon the floor,
and roll about in agony and anguish until it wu« taken oil,
and placed in the repository.

UARIA UOHK^ft aUFPBBINGS AFTBB THE PENANCB OF WKAR.

WO THB CAP.

' i\

This WM usually done in about ten minutes, sometiuiee
less, but the pain always continued in my he^id for several
days. I thought that it might take away a person's reason
if kept on a much longer time. If I had not been gagged
I am sure 1 Hhould have uttered awful screams. I have
felt the effects for a week. Sometimes fresh cabbage leaves
were appUed to my head to remove it. Having had no op-
portunity to examine my head, I cannot say more.

Among all the nuns there was the same universal dread
and horror of the punishment of the cap. I have heard
some of them shriek as loud as their voices would allow
them, wheo they have been told they were to wear it as a
punaDoe for some triJBdas offence of which they have been

jft'

1S9

AWFUL DISOLOSUftM Or MAKIA MrOMR.

Ifuilty ; formerly, Jane Kay told me, she haA known nun«
who wore it whoa I was a novice, who hare g:one complete-
ly off ^eir m^tds, so severe was the suiXering which it in-
flicted upon that tender part of the body, the head. Blood
WM oftcj drawn from a few minntes' infliction, and the
bk^in «J the strongest person would reel if it was allowed
to remain upon the head for a quarter ol an hour.

(

AWfTL DIACLOfltrBID OF MARU XOmL

158

nuna
iplete-
it in-
Blood
d the
lowed

♦'l

Ohiapter XVI II.

THU HmWHMBNTT Or THB CAP — THS PRTBUTS OV THl Dlt-
TBJCT OP MONTRXAL HAT1 FBBB A0CSS8 TO THV RLACK
NmNSBT — CBIMBS OOMMITTBD AVD RBarTBBD BT TH BM
— THB POPB'S OOMMAND TO COMMIT nTDBCBlCT OamBB~—
CaiAlLAaTHRa of THB OLD AJTD KBIT StTFB1lI0«B — THl
TnflDlTT OF THB LATTBB — I BBOAN TO BB BMFIiOTBD W
THB BOtPITALB — BOMB AOOOTTNT OF THBM — WAUrDlO
OTTBN MB BT A SICK NITN — PBMAMCB OF HANOIKO.

Tbik punishment waa oocarionally resorted to for Tery trifl.
ing offencoa, such as washing the hands without permis-
sion ; and it was generally applied on the spot, and before
the other nuns in the community-room.

I have mentioned before, that the country, so far down
as the Tluree Rivers, is furnished with priests by the Semi-
nary of Montreal ; and that these hundred and fifty men
are liable to be occasionally transferred from one station to
another. Numbers of them are often to be seen in the
•trHHts of Montreal, as they may find a home in the 8emi-
niiry.

They are considered as having an equal right to enter
the Black Nunnery whenever they please ; and then, ac-
cording to our oaths, they have complete control over the
nime. To name all the works of shame of which they are
guilty in that retreat, would require much time and space,
neither would it be necessary to the accomplishment of my
obj^t, which is, the publication of but some of their crimi-
UMlity to the world, and the development, in general terms,
of 8c«nes thus far carried on in secret within the walls of
that Convent, where I was so long an inmate.

Becure against detection by the world, they never belier*

^'A

Ifli

184

Awvm MtmMovm ctf Mktix iioi«il

•d thAt an ey«-w1tnHiM would eT«r Moape to toU of th^if
chraea, and declare aotae of their name« btttoi-e the world ;
but tht) time haa oome, and Dome of theur deeds of djirkueiM
mutt coma to the day. I have seen in Ui« Nunnery, the
prieata from more, I preauine, than a hundrfMi ooontry
places, admitted for ithamefiU and crimiii.il pta-poses ; from
St. Charles, St. Denis, St. Mark's, Si. Antoinn, (^mbly,
Bertier, St. John's, dec.

How unexpected to them will be the diHciosuros I make]
Shut np in a pUt^e from which thnre has btien thought to be
but one way of egress, and that the passage to the grave,
they considered themselves safe in perpt^trating crimes in
our presents, and in making us share in their cnmiuulity
as often ae they chose, and conducted more sh*v!!i^lti8sly than
even the brutes.

These debauchees would come in without (ceremony, con-
coaling tlieir names, both by night and day. Being with-
in the waUs of tlmt pririon-house of death, where the cries
and pains of the injured innocence of their victims would
never reach the world, for relief or redress for their wrongs,
without remorse or shame, they would glory, not only in
sating their brutal passions, but even in torturing, in the
most barbarous manner, the feelings of those under their
power ; telling us at the same time, that this mortifying
the desh was religion, and pleasing to Qod. The more
they could torture us, or make us violate our own feelings,
the more pleasure they took in their unclean revelling ;
and all their brutal obscenity they called meritorious before
God.

We were sometimes invited to put ourselves to voluntary
sufferings in a variety of ways, not for a penance, but to
show our devotion to God. A priest would sometimes say
to us —

'Now, which of yon have love enough for Jesus Christ to
ffcick a pin through your cheeks P* ,

Some of TU would signify our readiness, and immediately
IJturvMit am tihrouf^ jm^ to the head. Sometimee he would

AwwL uiicLo«irr.Bii ov lumrA mows.

161

uon-

propoM* lhJ4t w thentd repeat th« opftration ■tTeral timet
on the «pot ; and the tiiMkfe of a namber of tha nuxM would
be bloody.

There were other acta oooaaionally proposed and cx)n«ent.
ed to, which I cannot name in a book. Such the Huperior
would aoraetimee command u« to [>erform ; many of them,
things not only unelefw nnd unheard of, but loathsome anA
indecMmt in the hi^h«^l^t pomible degree. How they ever
could have hern m vented, I never could conceive. Thin^ja
were done worse thiiu the entire exposure of the person,
though this was ocoutionally required of several at once in
the presents of priests.

The S\ipenor of the Seminary would sometimes come and
inform us that she had received orders from the Pope to
request that those nuns who poMiessed the greatest devo-
tion and faith, should be requested to perform some porti-
oiJiar deeds, which she named or described in our presence,
but of which no decent or moral person could ever venture
to speak. I cannot repeat what would injure any ear, not
debased to the lowest possible degfree. I am bound by a
regard to truth, however, to confess, that deluded women
were found among us, who would oomply with their re-
quests.

lliere was a gi-eat diflerenoe between the characteru of
our old and new Superiors, which soon became obvious.
The former used to say she liked to walk, because it would
prevent her from becoming corpulent. She was, there-
fore, very active, and constantly going about from one part
of the Nmmery to another, overseeing us at our various
employments. I never saw her in any appearance of timid.
ity ; she seemed, on the contrary, bold and masculine, and
sometimes much more than that, cruel and cold-blooded, in
scenes calculated to overcome any common person. Such a
character she had particularly exhibited at the murder of
8t. Prancea.

The new Superior, on the other hand, was so heavy and
lamo, Ibat ih* waLksd with miioh diiUcultiri u^ oonae-

! f

!Dn

4wrta Di«rT.<>Hi Rfv« av imarta vnivk

q necUy exerciHed a lem Tifciliint overaigbt of th« nuiui. (Mm
WH* t%lm of H timid dif^poflition, or elue lud been oyenome
by bom6 gre«t fright in bor pa«t life ; for the wa» apt to be-
wme alarmod in the night, and never liked to be alone in
tht* dark. She had long performed the part of an old nun,
whiih in tliat of a spy upon the younger ones, and waf ?rnll
known to uf* in that oharftrter, under the name of Ht. Mar-
garite. 8oon after her promotion to the itjition of 8up«-
rior, 8he appointed me to sleep in her apartment, and as-
signed me a sofa to lie upon. One night, while I was
asleep, she suddenly tkrew horNolf upoH me, and exclaim-
ed, in great alarm, ' Oh I mon Dieu ! men Dieu I qu'estque
ca r (Oh ! my God I my God ! what is that P) I jumped
up and looked about the room, but saw nothing, and endea-
votired to convince her that there was nothing extraordin-
ary there. But she insisted that a ghout had come and held
her bed -curtain, so that she could not draw it. I examin-
ed it, and found that the curtain had been caught by a pin
in the valence, which had held it back ; but it was impos-
sible to tranquillize her for some time. She insisted on
my sleeping with her the rest of the night, and I stretch-
ed myself across the foot of her bed, and slept there till
morning.

During the last part of my
stay in the Convent, 1 was often
employed in attending in the
hospitals. There are, as I have
before mentioned, several apart-
meni8 devoted to the sick, and
there is a physician of Montroiil,
who attends as ordinary physician
to the Convent. It must not be
rxpposed, however, that he knows
an^-thing concerning the private
hoHpitala. It is a fact of great im- m aria monx attbmd-
portanoe to be distinctly under- mo thb sick or
stc<od, and constantly borne in tus HotufiiAL.

4t.WrUh rifl(5Ii08X7Kflh U# UAKiA MUNK.

Itl

)

foiud, that he it nurer, undar auy f.ircmuMUuK-Hii, aduiittad
into thn privute honpital rooms. Of thuM^ ho boom noUuni^
moi ■) ihiin tuxy Hti aii^ar whatever, lie ia liuiiUMl u> tho
care of those piitiuuui who are udmittod from tho city iuto
thu public hospital, and one of the nuns' hoHpitaJs, and
theta he risits evnry day. Side poor are roceivnd tor
charity by the inntitution, attended by some of ifw huhm,
and often go away with the highest idov^ nf our < bju-iLaL»le
chii meters and holy lives.
Tilt) physician himself might,
pethape, in some cases, share
is thu delusion.

1 trequentiy followed Dr.
Nelson through the public
hospital at the direction of
the Superior, with pen, ink and

paper, in my hands, and
wrote down the prescriptions
which he ordered for the dif-
ferent patients. These wt^ro
afterwards prepared and ad-
ministered by the attend-
ants. About a year before I
left the Convent, I was first
appointed to attend the pri*
vate sick-rooms, and was fre-
quently employed in that
duty up to the day of my de-
parture. Of course, I had
opportunities to observe the
number and classes of pa-
tients treated there : and in
what I am about to say on
this subject, I appeal, with
perfect confidence, to any
true and competent witness
to confirm my words, when-

D£. NKLSOV.

iS ^ if

108

AWVrrX. DiaClA>8T7&llll Of MAKIA Mowm.

[f'i

over nuoh * witxuMS may appear, it woold bn Tain iwc
cmybody who has mor«)lv ruatod the Oonvent from oun*
oaity, or resided in it act a novioe, to queotion my declara«
tiona. Buch a person miut nuoeeaarily be ignorant of
even the exiHtence of the private ro^fnis, unlens informed
by 0ome oue else. 8uch rooms, howHver, there are,
and I ooiild relate miuiy things which have passed
there during the hours 1 was employed in them, as 1 have
sUted.

One ni^ht I was called to sit up with an old oou, named
St. Clare, who, in going down 6taixb, had dislocated a Itiah,
and lay in a sick-room adjoining the hoHpit«l. 8he seemed
to be a little out of her head a part of the Umo, but appear,
ed to be quite in possession oi her reason motit of the nigbt.
It was easy to pretend that tthe was delirious ; but I coiisi-
deri'>d her as speaking the truth, though 1 felt reluctant to
repeat what I heard her say, and excused myself from men-
tioujug it even at confession, on the ground that the 8upe*
rior thought her deranged.

What led her to some of the most remarkabi* ports ol
her conversation was, a motion 1 made, in the oourse of the
night, to take the light out of her little room into the ad-
joining apartment, to look once more at the sick persons
there. She begged me not to leave her a moment in the
diurk, tor she could not bear it. * I have witnessed so many
horrid scenes,' said she, ' in this Ckinvent, that I wtmt
somebody near me constantly, and must always have a light
burning in my room. 1 cannot tell you,' she added, * what
things I remember, for they would frighten you too much.
What you have seon are nothing to them. Many a mur-
der have I witnessed ; many a nice young creature has
been kUled in this Nunnery. I advise yon to be very cau-
tious — keep everything to yourself — there are many here
ready to betray you.*

What it was that induced the old nan to express so much
kintin'vw to me I could not tell, unleae she was frightened
at the recollection of her own crimes, and those of otheni

AWI^tft btdOLOflt^itlK l)f MAktA ItOMtL

168

and felt grataful for the (»re I took of her. Hhe had been
one of the night watches, and HHver before showed me any
particular kindness. She did not, indeed, go into det^^ii
conuemiruj; the transactionB to which she aUuded, but told
nie that Bome none had been murdered tmder great aggra-
vationa of crunlty, by being gagged, and left to starve i»
the oellfl, or having their flesh burned oJ9 their bones with
red hot irons.

It waH uncommon to tind compunction expretwfr.d by any
of the nunfi. Uabit rondors us insensible to the sufferings
of others, and carelesa about our own sins. I had become
so hardened myself, that I find it difficult to rid myself of
otany of my former false principles and views of right and
wrong.

I was one day set to waHh some empty bottles from the
cellar, which had contained the Liquid that watt poured into
the cemetery there. A number of the^e had been brought
from the comer where so many of them were alwayw to be
seen, and placed at the head of the cellar stairs, and there
we were required to take them and wash them out. We
poured in water and rinsed them ; a few drops which got
upon our clothes soon made holen in them. I think the li-
quid was called vitriol, or some such name, and I heard
some persons say that it would soon destroy the flesli and
even the bones of the dead. At another time, we were f ur>
nisbed with a little of the liquid, which was mixed with a
quantity of water, and used in dying some cloth black,
which w.HS wanted at funerals in the chapel. Our hands
wore turned very black by being dipped in it, but a few
drops of some other liquid were mixed with fresh water,
axxl given us to wash in, which left our skin of a bright
red.

The bottles o1 whioh I spoko were made of Tery thick
dMrk<colourKl lehma, large at the bottom, and, I should say,
held Romothiug less than a gallon.

1 was nme much shocked, on entering the room for the
exanuiAAtion of conscience, at seeing a nun hanging by »

f ;!i

i>l

100

AWrUL DI.<M)L08URJCt( OV MAJtiA MOVB..

f -

cord from a ring in the ceiling, with her head downward.
Her clothes had been tied round with a leathern itrap, to
keep them in their place, and then she had been fastened
in that situation, with her head some distance from the
floor. Her face had a very unpleasant appearance, being
dark coloiired, and swollen by the rushing in of the blood ;
hor hands were tied, and her mouth stopped with a large
gag. This nun proved to be no other than Jane Bay, who
for some fault had been condemned to this punishment. I
could not help noticing how very similar this punishment
t^as to that of the Inquisition.

•HS DTQUISmON.

;^^

rard.
}, to
ened
the
eing
xkI ;
arge
who
1
Dent

AWFTTl DIBTIiOMTTREH OF MARIA MONK.

JWf

>'^

This wad not, howeTer, a solitary caae ; I heard of num-
bers who were * hung/ a8 it was called, at different timoa ;
and I nw 8t. Hypolite and 8t Luke undergoing it. This
wa« oonndered a most diBtreasing poaiahment ; and it was
the only one which Jane Ray oould '^jt endure, of all Hhe
had tried.

Some of the nuns would allude to it in her presence, but
it usually made her angry. It was probably practised in
the «ame place while I was a novice, but I never heard or
thought of such a thing in those days. Whenever we wish.
ed to enter the room for the exatnination of conscience, we
had to ask !«>*▼«. and, after some delay, were permitted to
go, but »lwmy» uiiti»«r a strict charge to b«nd the head for-
ward, and keep th«9 eyes dxed upon the floor.

i«a

AVfYVL DIB0LO»UKS8 OV MABTA MOVIL, M

Oliapter XIX.

MORS V18IT8 TO THB IMPRISONED NUNS — THBIH VKKK» —
OTMEBS TEMPORABILf PUT INTO THE OSLLK — RELKJH —
THE AGNUS DKI — TUB PRIKST8* PRIVATE H08PITA1., OB
HOLY RETREAT — aECKET BOOMS IN THE EASTERN WINQ
— REPORTS OF MURDERS IN THE CONVENT — THE 8UPB-
RI0R'» private RE(;0RD8 — NUMBER OP NUNS IN THB
CONVENT — DEiJlRB OP ESCAPE — URGENT REASON FOB IT
— PLAN — DKLrBERATION— ATTBMPl — SUCCESS.

I OJTKN seised an opportunity, when I safely could, to
speak a cheering or friendly word to one of the pof>r pri-
iif)ner8, in passing their ceUs, on my errands in thm cel-
lar*. For a time I supposed them to be sisters ; but I af-
teiwards discxjvered that this was not the case. I found
that they were always under the fear of suffering some pun-
ishment, in case they should be found talking with a per-
son not commissioned to attend them. They would often
«Ak, ' Is not somebody coming ?*

I could easily believe what I heard aifirmed by others,
that fear was the severest of their sufTerings. GouJine«l in
the liark, in so gloomy a place, with the long arched celUr
stretching off this way and that, visited only now and then
by a solitary nun, with whom they were afraid to speak
their feelings, and with only the miserable society of each
other ; how gloomy thus to spend day after day, months,
and even years, vrithoiit any prospect of liberation, and li-
able at any moment to another fate to which the Bishop or
Superior might condemn them. But these poor creature*
must have known something of tha horrors perpetrated in
other parts of the building, and could not have been ignor-
ant of the hot*4 in the oeUar, which was not far from th*
goiJ/s, and the usa to whi<ih it was lievouxi. Oxm ui iiwm

\'^

▲WrUL OUfULUHUABH 09 MAJUA MOM&.

168

ti>«i«

told me, in conitidttnutt, «ho wiHtieil thoy ooold get out. They
must lUflo have been often diflturbed in their ileep, if they
•▼er did «leep, by the nomerotu prieeta who passed through
the tnp-door at no great distance. To be subject to such
trials for a single day would be dreadful ; but these nuns
had them to endure for years.

I often felt much oompassion for them, and wished to sen
them released ; but at other times, yielding to the doctrine
perpetually taught us in the Convent, that our future hap-
piness would be proportioned to the sufferings we had to
undergo in this world, I would rest satisfied that their im-
prisonment was a real blessing to them.

Others, I presume, participated with me in such feelings.
One Sunday afternoon, after we had performed all our
ceremonies, and were engH^:ed as usual, at that time, with
backgammon and other amusements, one of the young nuns
exclaimed, ' Oh I how headstrong are those wretches in
the cells, they are as Itad as the day they were put in I'

This exclamation was made, as I supposed, in conse-i
qnenoe of some recent cunversation with them, as I know
her to be particularly acquainted with the older one.

Some of the vacant cells were occasionally used for tem-
porary imprisonment. Three nuns were confined in them,
to my knowledge, for disobedience to the Superior, as she
called it. They did not join the rest in singing in ttie
evening, being exhausted in the various exertions of the
day. The Superior ordered them to sing ; and, as they did
not comply, after the command had been twice repeated,
she ordered them away to the cells.

They were immediately taken down into the cellar, plac-
ed in sepjirate dungeons, and the door shut and barred up«
on them. There they remained through the night, the fol-
lowing day and second night, bu^, were released in time to
attend mass on the second morning.

The Superior used occasionally to show nomething in %
glsM box, which we were required to regard with the high«
!•« (U^ree of revurunce. It was made of wax, and caliMi

V \.

194

AWrUL 'DI80LO»VKJt8 OF MAKfA MUMK.

an Aguua Dei. Shu uaed to exhibit it to us when we mvn
in a state of gra(,e ; that is, after ooiifeHsion and before
Sacrament. She said it ^lad been bletwud in the very diah
in which our Saviov/r had eaten. It was brought from
Rome. Every tijne we kissed it, or even looked at it, we
were told it gave a hundred days* release from purgatory
to ourselves, or if we did not need it, to our next of kin in
purgatory, if not a Protestant. If we had no such kins*
man, the benefit was to go to the soiils in purgatory not
prayed for.

Jane IIjiv would sometimes say to me, * Let*8 kiss it —
some of our friends will thank us for it.*

I have been repeatedly employed in carrying daintmi* of
different kinds into the little private room I have mention-
ed, next beyond the Superior's 8ittinM:-ruom, in the second
story, which the priests made their ' JJuty lietreat,*

THB UOUM CAIiLEI) Til K 'HOLT hKTRBAT.' THB UESOKT OK
THB PKIE8TS AND TUb BISHOP.

That room I never was allowed to enter. I could only
go to the door with a waiter of refreshmtmts, set it down
ap<m a little stand near it, give three raps on tne door, and
th^a retiro to a distiuice to awaii orders. When anythmi^

AWirrT DIBOLORTTRBfl OF MARTA MONK.

16B

wwr»
efore
dijth
from
, we
itory
A in
kins*
' not

it—

(JP of

tion- \
icuiid

• OK

only

iown

and

was to >w taken away, it was placed on the Mtand by the
Superior, who then gave three raps for me, and closed the
door

The Bishop I saw at least once, when he appeared worse
for wine, or something of the kind. After partaking of re-
freshments in the Convent, he sent for all the nuns, and on
our appearance, gave us his blessing, and put a piece of
pound cake on the shoulder of each of ufl| in a manner
which appeared singular and foobsh.

There are three rooms in the Black Nunnery, which I
never entered. I had enjoyed much liberty, and had seen,
as I supposed, all parts of the building, when one day I
observed an old nun go to a comer of an apartment near
the northern end of the western wing, push the end of her
scissors into a crack in the panelled wall, and pull out a
door. I was much surprised, because I never had conjec-
tured that any door was there ; and it appeared, Then I
afterwards examined thp place, that no indication of it
could be discovered on the closest scrutiny. I stepped for-
ward to see what was within, and saw three rooms opening
into each other ; but the nun refused to admit me within
the door, which she said led to rooms kept as depositories.

She herself entered and dosed the door, so that I <x>uld
not satisfy my curiosity ; and no occasion presented itself.
1 always had a strong desire to know the use oi these apart-
ments ; for I am sure they must have been designed fur
some purpose of which I was intfjntionally kept ignorant,
otherwise they never would have remained unknown to ma
so long. Besides, the old nun evidently had 8om» strong
reason for denying me admission, though she endeavoured
to quiet my curiosity.

The Superior, after my admission into the Convent, had
told me I had access to every room in the building ; and I
hud Neen places which bore witness to the cruelties and the
crimes committed under her cx>mmands or sanction; but
uerf. 'WH» (i 8uc<*H8ion of rooms which had Txjen concealed
tron* me. Mfxt m ^^onstrncced as if designed to be ankwwn

.; M

. ..,:

"1, i'

'\\

199

AWFtTL DIBOLOtlTBBa OV MAVA VOWK.

to all but A few. I am nure that any pnnon« who mi^ht be
able to examine the wall in that place, would pronotmoe
that aocret door a surprising piece of work. I neT«r saw
anything of the kind which appeared to me so ingenious
and skilfully made. I told Jane Ray what I had seen, and
die said at onf><e, ' We will get in and see what is there.*
But I suppose she nerer found an opportunity.

I naturally felt a good deal of curiosity to learn whether
such scenes, as I had witnessed in the death of 8aint
Frances, were common or rare, and took an opportunity to
inquire of Jane Bay. Her reply was—

' Oh, yes : and there were many mordsred while you were
a novice, whom you heard nothing about.'

This was all I ever learnt on this subject ; but although
I was told nothing of the manner in vMoh they wnra kill-
ed, I suppose it to be the same which I had seen practised,
namely, by smothering.

I went into the Superior's parlour one day for some-
thing, and found Jane Bay there alone, looking into a book
with an appearance of interest. I asked her what it was,
but she made some trifling answer, and laid it by as if un-
willing to let me take it. There are two book-oases in thi
room ; one on the right as you enter the door, and the other
opposite, near the window and the mfa. The former con-
tains the lecture-bookfi and other printed Tolumee, the lat-
ter seemed to be filled with note and account books. I have
often seen the keys in the book-cases while I ha^e been
dusting the furniture, and sometimes obserred letters stuck
up in the room ; although I never looked into one, or thoui^ht
of doing so. We were under strict oraers not to toucJb any
of them, and the idea of sins and penances was alwaya pre-
sent in my mind.

Some time after the occasion mentioned, I was sMit into
the Superior's room with Jane, to arrange it ; and as the
same book was lying out of the case, she said, * Come let
OS look into it.' I immediately consented, and we opnned
II, and turned ov«7 several Insves. It was about a focA and

4WirUL DnOliOHlTKBH OV HARIA MONK.

107

* half long, u nearly aa I can remember, a foot wide, and
about two inohes thick, though I cannot speak with parti-
CQlHr preciidoiL, as Jane frightened me almost as soon as I
touched it, by exclaiming, * There, you nave looked into it,
and if you tell of me, 1 will of you.'

The thought of being subjected to a severe peniince,
which I had reason to apprehend, fluttered me very much ;
and, although I tried to cover my fears, I did not succeed
very weU. I reflected, however, that the sin was already
committed, and that it would not be increased if I examin*
ed the book.

I therefore looked a little at several pages, though I still
felt a good deal of agitation. I saw at once that the vo-
lume was a record of the entrance of nuns and novices into
the Convent, and of the births that had taken place in the
Convent. Entries of the last description were made in a
brief manner, on the following plan : I do not give the
names or dates as real, but only to show the form of enter-
ing them.

Saint Mary, delivered
Saint Clarioe,
Saint Matilda,
Saint Eunaoe,
Saint Martha,
Saint OlotUda,
Saint Catherine,
Saint Florence,
Saint Bertha
Saiut Emeline,
Saint Maria,
Saint Hypolite,

t»

of a son, March 16, 1834.
daughter, April 2.
daughter, April 30.

son, May 1.
daughter, May 10.

son, May 29.

son, June 1.
daughter, June 12.

son, June 29.
daughter, July 4.

son, July 9.
daughter, July 20.

&o the record went on, enumerating a very large num-
ber of births, which had taken place in the Convent. Fear
of disixtvery made Jane and myself close the book socner
thtox we should have done, if our curiosity could have been

168

AWrUL DISOLOBURSS 09 MABlA Mv.'inC.

gratiflod without ruimiug the ruk of being detected. We
both guve utterance to our horror and surprise aa we dosed
that volume which is a standing proof of the criminality of
tlio priests and bishop* that are now, and have b*«in (or
years, the so-called ' spiritual guides' of the poor dnluded
females who have sought shelter in the OonTent from the
sins of the wicked world without.

No mention was made in the book of the death of the
children, though I well knew not one of them oonld be !!▼•
ing at that finxo.

Now I presume that the period the book embraced wm
about two years, as several names near the beginning I
knew ; but I can form only a rough conjecture of the num-
ber of infants bom, and murdered, of counie, reooT<ls of
wMch it contained. I siippoHe the book contamed at leriAt
one hundred pages, and w^n? fv.irth were wntton upon, auJ
that each page contained fifteen distinct records. Several
pat^H were devoted to the list of births. On this supposi-
tion there must have been a large number, which I can
easily believe to have been bom there in the course of two
years.

What were the contents of the other books belonging to
the samu avse with that which I had looked into, I have no
idea, having never dared to touch one of them ; I beliere,
however, that Jane Bay was well acquainted with them,
knowing, as I do, her intelligence and pr]ring disposi-
tiou. li she could be brought to give her testimony, she
would doubtless unfold many cujious partieulant now un-
known.

1 am able, in consequence of a drcumstanoe which ap-
peared accidental, to state with confidence the exact num-
ber of persons in the Convent one day of the week in whirh
1 left it. This may be a point of some interest, aM neveral
deaths had occurred since my taking the veil, and many
burials had been openly made in the chapel.

I was appointed, at the time mentioned, to lay out the
oovert* for all the inmates of the Oonvent, including the

ftWrUL DTWOtOHlTIUlf OW MAKIA WO-*nL

auni> m the c«il«. Thnne rivers, ait I hHve aaid b«ilum,
wer» linen bands, to be bound around thn knivee, forkH,
spoonM, and nHpkins, for natini;. Tb*Mw wnre for all thtt
nana and novicen, and amounted to two hundred and ten.
Am the number of novioea wan then aboat thirty, I krinw
that there must have been at that time about one hondrdd
and eighty veiled nana.

T wa« oocadionaUy troubled with a dmire of mirapinff from
the Nunnery, and was much diatreeaed whenever I felt ao
evil an iinaigrixiation r^ in my mind. I beli<4ved that it was
a ain, a groat ain, and did not fail to oonfRwt, at evHry op*
portunity, that I felt discontent. My oonfeiworH iniormed
me that I waa beaet with evil epirita, and nrge4 me to pray
againat it. Still, however, every now and then, I would
think, < Oh, if I ooold get out.*

At length one of the priests to whom I had confr^wted thia
ain, informed me, for my comfort, that he had begun to
pray to Saint Anthony, and hoped his intercession would,
by-and-bye, drive away the evil spirit. My deeire of e«-

THB PKIBST DfTBBCBDUrO WITH ST. ANTHONV THAT M aKIA
MONK MAT BB UBLIVBRBlJ KHOM THB BTTL SPmiT.

cap«> WHH partly excited by the fear of bringing an infant to
the murderous hands of my companions, or of taking « po-
tion whose violent effects I too well knew.

OnA evening, howevor. T found myself more filled with a

170

▲wrni. miwihrMvnrM of maeja moith.

dmim to Mcape than eTar ; and what ezertiorui I madii m
dihiaiM tha thought proved entirely iinaTailinK- Dttnng
evoninn^ prayem I hoo&me quite occupied with it ; and when
the time of meditation arrived, uutead of falling into a doiMs
•ti I often did, though T wm a good deal fatigued, I found
no difficulty in keeping awake. When thia exerciae wkh
ov«iir, and the other nuun were aliout to retire to thn «laep-
in^.room, my stJition being in the private aick-room for tha
night, I withdrew to my poHt, which wa« the little aittiAig
room adjoining it.

Here, then, I thr«w myself upon the sofa, and being
alone, reflected a fHw triomenta on the manner of escaping
which had occurred to toe. The physician had arrived a
little before, at half-pu^t eight ; and I had now to aocom-
pany him as ufiual from Kxi to bed, with pen, ink, and pa-
per, to write down his prescriptions for the direction d the
old nun, who wm to see them adminintMrfd.

What I wrote on ty^il evening, I cHnnot now raooUeoki
•a my mind was uncommonly af^tated ; but my customary
way was to note down brially hit* orders, in this manner —

1 d. salts, Ht. Matilde.

1 blister, St. O^nevieve, fto.

I remember that I vrroU> these orders that evening, and
then, having rinished the roundja, I returned fur h few mo>
m«nt8 to the sitting-room.

There wero two ways of arx*«M to the fttn»t from those
rooms ; first, the more direct, from the passage adjoining
the sick-room down stairs, through a door, into the Nun«
nery-yard, and through a wicker gato : that is the way by
which, the physician usually enters at night, and he is pro*
Tided with a key for that purpose. ^

It would hnvw been unsafe, however, for me to p»u»i« out
that way, bt«o«uH(t a man i^ kept continually in the yard,
near the gat<^ who sleeps ax night in a small hut near the
door, to esoape whose observation womd be imixMsibia. My

^ %

AWVtTL Dnmj»rrtLj» or maAta MOini:.

4 ■

only hopo, thnr«for«, wiu, that I nught gam my pMwig*
through the other w«y, to do whioh I must pau through
the nck-room, than th*r.agh » pauago, or nnall room nsual
ly oticapied by an uid nun ; another paasago and itaircaoe
leading down to tha yard, and a large gate opening mto the
croM ftreet. I had no liberty to go beyond the mclcroom,
and knew that eeyeral of the doors might be fantaned ; itill
I determined to try ; although I have often nnc^ been ah-
toniahed at my boldneia in undertaking what would ezpoM
me to ao many hanurda of tailnie, and to aevere puniahxuent
if found out.

It aeemed aa if I acted under aome extraordinary impulM,
whioh enoouraged me to what I ahould hardly at any othen
moment haTe thought of undertaking. I had sat but a
abort time upon the aofa, however, before I roM with a dea*
perate detemiination to make the experiment I therefore
walked hastily acroaa the siok room, passed into the nun*8
loom, walked by her in a great hurry, and almost without
giving her time to speak or think, said, ' A message !' and
in an instant waa through the door, and in the next paa-
sage. I think there was another nun with her at the mo-
ment; and it ia probable that my hurried manner, and
prompt intimation that I was sent on a pressing mission to
the Superior, prevented them from entertaining any suspi-
cion of my intention. Besides, I had the written orders of
the phyracian in my hand, whioh may have tended to nvis-
lead them ; and it waa well known to some of the nuns, that
I had twioe left the Convent, and returned from ohoioe, so
that I wiui probably more likely to be trusted to remain than
many of the others.

The passage which I now reached had aeveral doors, with
all which I was acquainted ; that on the opposite aide open,
ed into a conununity-room, where I should have probably
found some of the old nuns at that hour, and they would
eertainiy have stopp«d me.

On tbe left, however, was a large door, both looked and

172

AwruL DisoLORUBsa OF MARIA uorrx.

barrod : but T gave the door a sadden swing, that it might
creak as little as poHsible, being of iron. Down the stairt
I Imrrifid, and making my way through the door into the
yard, stepped across it, unbarred the great gate, and was at
lib&rt j^ !

I ■
I

AWt^L PISCLOSUfiCS OX MA&IA MOM&.

1/8

Oonclusion.

Thb following circumstances comprise all that is dt^nmed
necessary now to subjoin to the preceding narraiivo.

After my arrival in New York I was introduced to the
almshouse, where I w£»8 attended with kindness and cave,
and, as I hoped, was entirely unknown. But when I hud
been some time in that institution, I found that it wan n\'
ported thfit I was a fugitive nun ; and not loner >*fU->T, hu

AWrVL DUOXiOBUmiB Ol MJlMIA uqkk.

Irub woman, belong^ing to the konat, broa^tit m« \>, Mcrot
measavrb, which oau«e<i me some agitation.

I w&B fitting in the room of Mn. Johnaon, the matron,
engaged in sewing, when that Irish woman, employed in
> the institution, came in and told me that Mr, Oonroy was
below, and had sent to see me. I was informed that he
was a Koman priest, who often visited the horse, and he
had a particular wish to see me at that time ; haring oome,
at) I believe, expressly for that purpose. I showed un-
wiUiagneM to comply with such an invitation, and did
not go.

The woman told me, further, that he sent me word that
I need not think to avoid him, for it would be impossible
for me to do so, I might conceal myself as well as I could,
but I should be found and taken. No matter where I
went, or what hiding-place I might choose, I should be
known ; and I had better come at once. He knew who I
was ; and he was authorized tc take me to the Sisters of
Charity, if I should preier to i'^in them. He would pro-
mise that I might stay with them if 1 chose, and be per-
mitted to remain in New York. He sent me word further
that he had received full power and authority over me from
the Superior of the Hotel Diou Nunnery at Mon'^/eal, and
woB able to do all that she could do ; h«i her right to dispone
of me at her will had been imparted to him by a regtU.'ir
writing received from Oanada. This was alarming iuiorm>
tion for me, in the weakness in whi<h I was at that time.
The woman added, that the same aiithority had been given
to all the priests ; so that go wher > I might I should meet
men informed about me and my escape, and fully empower,
ed to seize me whenever they could, and convey me bark tt
the Oonvfmt from which I had escaped.

Under these circumstances, it seemed to me th&t the of-
fer to place me among the Sisters of Charity, with per-
mission to remain In New York, was mild and favourable.
However, I had reiolution enough to refuse to sue priest
Onrnxoj.

AWrOL OiaCLOMUMW OV MA£,IA MONIL.

17ft

^ .'

Ni>t lo>ig afierviirdii I wiu informed, by bhu name idhs-
•enger, that the privJBt was again in tha building, and re-
peated hia requ>^. I desired one of the gentlemen con-
nected witii the inatitutiun, that a itop might be put to
auch mosHagea, aa 1 wiahed to receive no more of them. A
•hort time after, however, the woman told me that Mr.
Oonroy wished to inquire of me, whether my name was not
St. Eustaoe while a nun, and if £ had not oonleitsed to
Priest Kelly in Montreal. I answered, tha^. it was all
true ; for I had confessed to him a short tune while in the
Nunnery. I was then told again that the priest wanted to
see me, and I sent back word Ihat I would see him in the

presence of ISlt. T or Mr. 8- ■■ ; which, however, was

not agreed to ; and 2 was afterwards informed, tnat Mr.
Gonroy, the Boman priest, spent an hour in the room and
a passage where I had frequently been ; but, through the
mercy of God, I was employed at another place at that
time, and hud no occasion to go where I should have met
him. I afturwards repeatedly heard that Mr. Gonroy con*
tinned to visit the house, and to ask for me ; but I never
saw him. I once had determined to leave the institution,
and go to the Sisters of Charity ; but circumstances occur-
red which gave me time for further reflection ; and I was
saved from the destruction to which I should have been
exposed.

Afi the period of my accouchement approached, I some-
timee thought that I should not survive it ; and then the
recollection of the dreadful crimes I had witnessed in the
Nunnery would come upon me very powerfully, and I
would think it a solemn duty to disclose them before I died.
To have a kBowlodge of those things, and leave the world
without making them known, appeared to me like a ^eat
flin, whenever I could divest myself of the impression made
npoc me by the declarationB and arguments of the Supe-
rior, nuns, and priests, of th«^ duty of submitting to every-
thing, and the uMiessary hoiinefw of wiiat«>!veT Lhey did or
f«qx.r«d.

';v' V I

170

AWna DtmiumrBAS OF MAKiA MONB. (i

The evening but one before the period which I anticipat*
«d with ao much nnxiety, I wum sitting alone, and begun to
indulge in reflectionti of thiti kind. It ■eemed to me th;it I
muMt be near the close of my life, and I determined to m&ka
a difirlosure at once. I spoke to Mrs. Ford, a woman
whotte uluuracter I respected, a nurse in the hospital, num-

UKS. POKIt

b«r twHiity-tbrwo. I informed ber Uxni 1 had no »;x^«ct<»-
tion of living long, and had some things on my mind whi> h
1 wished to communicHte before it should be too Late. I

added, that I should prefer telling them to Sir. T , the

chaplain ! of whi<;h she approve<l, as she considered it a duty
to do so, under those circumstances. I had no opportunity,

however, to converse with Mr. T at that tirr-o, and,

probal)ly, my pnj poHe of disclosing the facts already given
in this book, would never have been executed, but for what
•ubseqaently took place.

It was alarm which led me to form such a dcttermination ;
and when the period of trial had been safely passed, and I
had a pniKpeci of recovery, anj-lhing to me more unlikely
than that I ahould make this exposure.

J wM (h«>n a Roman Calholio, at leaa^ a great part of my
Uoif f ttnd my conduirt, in a grout m(«8ur6. wan ac^rording

Awyi/L oiscLOsrESS or maria monk.

177

to the faith and motivei of a Roman Oatholio. Notwith-
BtHuding what I knew of the conduct of so many of the
phetits and nuns, I thought that it had no effect on the
sanctity of the church, or the authority or effects of the
acts performed by the former at the mass, confession, &c.
I had such a regard for my vows as a nun, that I consider*
ed my hand as well aa my heart irrevocably given to Jesus
Ohriet, and could never ha.\Q allowed any person to take it.
Indeed, to this day, I feel an instinctive aversion to ofFer-
ing my hand, or taking the hand of another person, even
as an expression of friendship.

I aleo thought that I might soon return to the Catholics,
although fear and disg^ist held me back. I had now that
infant to think for, whose life I had happily saved by my
timely escape from the Nunnery ; what its fate might be,
in case it should ever fall into the power of the priei •«, I
oould not tell.

I had, however, reason tor alarm. Would a child, des-
tinod to debtruction, like the infants I had seen baptized
Mid smothered, be allowed to go thror. <;h the world \mmo-
leated, a living memorial of the truth of crimes long prac-
tijBed in security, because never exposed P What pledges
could I get to satisfy me, that I, on whom her dependen(;6
must be, would be spared by tho^e who, I had reason to
think, were wishing then to eacriflce me ? How could I
trust the httlpless infant in hands which had hastened the
baptism of mary sikJi, in order to hurry them into the se-
cret pit in the (ellar ? Could I suppose that Father Phtlan^
Friett. of t/yi Parish Church of Montreal f would eoe hi4
own child growing up in the world, and feel wilHug to run
the risk of having the truih exposed? What oould I ex-
pect, especially from him, but the utmost rancour, and tLe
most determined enmity, against the ixmoc-ent child and its
abutted and defenceless mother P

Yet, my mind would somoiimes still incline to the oppo-
iU« direction, iuid indul)^a the thought, that p<:'rhaps tJoA

I-

▲WFTTTi OISOLOSUBSB OF MAIIA ICOXTK.

■-, t
1

I '

178

only ivay to SHciire henven to ua both, was to throw octr*
selves hfuik into tha hana» u/ tho church, to be treated m
she pleased. — When, tnerefor ), the feitr of immediate death
was removed, 1 renounced all thou^;hte of oommunicating
the Bubstance of the facts of this volume. It happened,
however, that my danger was not passed. I was soon seis-
ed with very alarming symptoms ; then my desire to dis-
close my story revived.

I had Indore had an opportonity to speak in private with
the chaplain ; but, as it was at a time when I supposed my-
6i'.lt out of danger, 1 had defeirred for three days my pro-
posed communication, thinking that I might yet avoid it
altogether. When my symptoms, however, became more
alarming, 1 was anxious for Saturday to arrive, the day
which I had appointed ; and when I had not the opportune
ity, on that day, which I desired, 1 thought it might be too
late. I did not see him till Monday, when my prospects
of surviving were very gloomy, and I then informed him
that I wished to communicate to him a few secrets, which
were likely otherwise to die with me. I then told him,
that while a nun, in the Oon% :nt of Montreal, I had witr-
nessed the murder of a nun, oalled Saint Frances, and of
at least one of the infants which I have spoken of in thiA
book. I added some few ciroumstances, and I believe dis<
dosed, in general terms, some of the crimes I knew of in
that Nunnery.

My anticipations of death proved to be unfounded ; for
my health afterwards improved, and had I not made the
confessions on that occasion, it is very possible I mighi, no<
var have made iJiem. I, ho wever, afterwards, felt more
willing to listen to instruction, and experienced friendly at-
tentions from some of the benevolent persons around me,
who, taking an interest in me on account of my darkened
understanding, furnished me ik ith the Bible, and were evev
ready to counsel me when I daired it.

I looa began to believe thai God might have intended
Ihat hif oreatuTtM should liitm ia» will ky reading hi* wordy

AWIDX DU0L08TTIIC8 0» MAKIA MONJL

171

for
the
no-
more
f at-
me,
Bned
OTev

and taking upun tnem the tree exerciM Ji their reason, and
acting tinder retponiibility to him.

It if difficult for one who has never given way to such
arguments and influences as those to whiivh I had been ex-
' osed, to realise how hard it is to think aright, after think-
ing wrong. The Scriptures always aftect me powerfully
when I read them ; but I feel that I have but just begim to
learn the great truths, in which 1 ought to have been early
and thoroughly inj^tructed. I realise, in some dogree, how
it is, that the Scriptures render the people of the United
States so strongly opposeii to such doctrines as arb taught
in the Black and Congregational Nunneries of Montreal.
The priests and nuns used often to declare that of all here-
tics, the children from the United States were the most
difficult to be converted ; and it was thought a grt^t
triumph when one of them was brought over to ' the true
faith.' The first passage of Scripture that made any serious
impression upon my mind, was the text on which the chap-
lain preached on the Sabbath after my introduction to the
house. — * Search the Scriptiues.'

) >

I <

I f

■OMM

FluuPAcai

PAOl
ft

OHAPTEB L

Kar)'/ rdooUectiozui — Early life — Beligioiu education
nc^lwcted — Fint ichool — Entrance into the school
of the Oongregatioiud Nunnery — Brief account of
the Nunneries in Montreal — The Gong;regational
Nunnery — the Black Nunnery — The Grey Nun-
nery — Public respect for these institutions — In-
struotiooA reoeiTod — ^Tha Oatechiim— The Bibla, •

OHAPTEB n. ^

Oongregational Nunnery — Story told by fellow-pn.pU
against a priest — Other atorieo — Pretty Mary —
Ooniession to Father Bichards — My subsequent
oonfesoion — Instructions in the Catechism 1<1

CHAPTER m.

Black Nunnery — Preparations to become a novice in
the Black Nunnery — Entrance — Occupations of
the novices — The apartments to which they had
access — First interview with Jane Bay — Beverence
for the Superior— A wonderful nun — Her reliques
— ^The holy good shepherd, or nameless nun — Con-
tesdon of novices 19

Oivrx,

OHAPTEB nr.

DuipIeaMd with the CosTent— Iieftit— R«ndenM hH f^
D«oLi — Relict — Marriage — Return to the BUok
Nunnery — Objectioiui ntade ty loiQe novioai •••• 97

OHAPTEH V.

BecaiTed oonfinnation — Painful feeHngs--6peoixnecflof
inntructionj receivea un the eubject ...•• 33

CHAPTER VI.

Tahmg the i^eil — Interview afterwardi with the Supe-
rior— SurpriM and horror at the dieolosurea — Ra-
■olution to iiubmit •••••• .«•• M

CHAPTER Vn.

Duly oefemcme»~-Jane Ra? among the nuni

Ri 1

CHAPTER Vm.

Description of apartments in the Black Nunnery, ia
order : let floor — 2nd floor — Garret — The founder
— Superior's management with the friends of no-
yioee — Religious lies — criminality of concealing
sins at confeenon ••••.... 60

nnncz.

iia

WAns

OUAPTKBIX.

Nana with dmilar naine»—43qaaw noiui— Firnl vudfc to
th« caliiir — DMoription of it — Shooking duooTeij
thero— 8uperior's uutruotioiu — PriTal signal of
the phests — Books used in ths Nuzmery — Opinionb
expreflsed of tho Bible — Specimens of what I know
o£ tlMSonpturat fl?

CHAPTER X.

Manufacture of bread and wax candles, carried on in
the Convent — Huperstitions — Scapularies — Virgin
tIary*B pincoahion — Her hous&— The Bishop's
pox^w over fire— My instructions to novices — Jane
Bay — Vacillation of feelings 71

OHAPTEB XL.

Alarming order from the Superior — Prooeed to execute
it — Scene in an upper room — Sentence d death,
and murder — My own distress — Beports made to
thendii of St. Frances 79

OHAPTEB Xn.

Description of the room of the Three States, and the
pictures in it— Jane Bay — Bidiculing priests—
Their criminal treatment of us at confession—-
Jane Bay's tricks with the nuns' aprons, handker-
chjjebi, and night-gowns — Apples 67

%. ^ n%.

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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

1R%

viTDmX.

CHAPTER XnL

F4«MI

Jane Ray'i tricks continued — ^The broomBtick ghost—
Sleep-walking — Salted cider — Changing bed«—
Objects of some of her tricks — Feigned humility
—Alarm .• 94

CHAPTER XIV.

Influencing novices — Difficulty of convincing perrons
from the United States — Tale of the Bishop in the
city — The Bishop in the Convent — ^The prisoners
in the ceUs — Practice in singing — Narratives-
Jane Ray's hymns — The Superior's best trick .... 114

CHAPTER XV.

Frequency of the priests' visits to the Nunnery — ^Their
freedom and crimes — Diffi.culty of learning theii
names — Their holy retreat — Objections in our
minds — Means used to counteract ox)nBcienca— in-
genious arguments 124

CHAPTER XVI.

Treatment of young infants in the Convent — Talking
in sleep— Amusements — Ceremonies at the publio
interment of deceased nuns — Sudden disappearanoe
of the old Superior — Introduction of the new one
— Superstition — Alarm of a nun — Difficulty of
communication with other nuns 1S9

.'i

F401

r *-
94

urntiX.

OHAFTEBXyn.

Diuppmnmoe of nuii>— St. Pierre— Gags— My tem-
porary confinement in a cell — ^llie cholera aeaaon
—How to aToid ii— Oocupationf in the Ctonyent
daring the peetilenoe— Manoiaotare of wazoan-
dlee— The election riote— Alarm among tiie none
—Frepaiatione for defence— Penanoei Itt

I .

114

124

OHAPTEB XVin.

The punishment of the cap— The prieets of the diitriol
' of Montreal hare free aoceMte the Black Nunnery
— Orimee committed and required by them — ^The
Pope'i command to commit indecent crimes —
Characters of the old and new Superior*— The ti-
midity of the latter — I began to be employed in
the hospitals — Some account ol them — ^Warning
giren me by a sick nun — Penance of hanging ....

161

129

CHAPTEK XIX.

More Tisits to Hne imprisoned nuns — Their fears-
Others temporarily put into the celle— Belies — ^The
Agnus Dei — The priests' private hospital, or holy
retreat — Secret rooms in the eastern wing — Re-
ports of murders in the Gonvent — ^The Superior's
private uncords — ^Number of nuns in the Convent
— Desire of escape — Urgent reason for it — Plan —
Deliberation— Attempt— Success 162

Conclusion 171

^<-^-

'•■-'f/

,t '

EXTRACTS FROM PUBLIC JOURNALS,

SELATTVE TO

THE TRUTH OF

DISCLOSURES.

/■

The following Certiflcate appeared in the Pro-
testant Tindicatori in March, 1836.

Wb, the ■ubsoribers, hAve an acquaintance -with Mias Maria
Monk, and having considered the evidence of different
kindB which has been collected in relation to her case, have
no hesitation in declaring our belief in the truth of the
statements she makes in her book, recently published in
New York, entitled * Awful Disclosures,' Ao.

* We at the same time declare that the assertion, origin-
ally made in the Boman Catholic Newspapers of Boston,
that the book was copied from a work entitled ' The Gatee
of Hell Opened,' is wholly destitute of foundation ; it be-
ing entirely new, and not copied from anything whatso*
ever.

omnoKB ow tbm

((

'And w farther dtokre, that bo uridonM luui been pio»
tnotd wldoh diioraditi fho tM/aaamU of Miu Monk;
whil«, on fhe oontrary, her liory haa yet reoeived, and
oontinnee to reoeire, oonflimation from Tarioui eoiiroM.

* Dnrirg the lait week, two important witneaaee spon*
taneonily appeared, and offered to give public testimony in
her fayonr. From them the following delineations have
been reoeiyed. The first la an affidavit given by Mr. Wil-
liam Miller, now a rendent of thia dty. The second is a
•tatement reorived from a young married woman, who,
with her husband, also resides here. In the dear and re-
peated statements made by these two witnesses, we place
entire reliance ; who are ready to famish satisfaction to
any persona making reasonable enquiries on the subject.

*W. C. BaowNKiix,
'John J. Slooum,
'Akdhuw Bbvcb,

•D. F^WSHAW,

'Amos Bkldkst,
/ 'David Wassov,

'Thomas Hogajk.'

From the American Protestant Vindicator.

' It waa expected that, after Maria Monk*s disclosures,
an artful attem;)t; would be made to invalidate her testi-
mony — which waa done secretly after her escape from the
Hotel Dieu Nunnery, by co altering the appearance of that
institution by planking, and bricking, and stoning, a^ to
deceive Col. Stone, who was then requested to examine it
for himself and the world. The Col. misrepresented what
he saw, he was deceived reg^arding those alter&tiona by the
Inntkim, who .Iragged him, as it were, by force through

\ :

OMHioifs or mm tiuiu%.

181

the building dnring hi« examination, which waa perfonned
in the amaxing short spaoe of a few hours. But time is the
grand unraveller of mysteries. On the appearance of the
book of Miss Monk, the hoodwinked people of Montreal
were so surprised and stupefied at finding that the imma-
culate purity of the Hotel Dieu had been so disparaged,
that thej forgot to think seriously on the subject — but, un>
derstanding that the story had gained almost general be*
lief abroad, they, at last, were led to conjecture that per-
haps it was partiality that prevented them from beliering
it at home. General attention, therefoxOi in Montreal, waa
directed towards that edifice — and those residijig in its im-
mediate vicinity cast a retrospectiye glance over what they
had seen transacted ther<», between the time at which the
' Disclosures* were published, and the visit of Ool. Stone.
The result of this investigation has been lately given on the
spot to the Bev. Jas. P. Miller, of New York, who visited
that city for the purpose of hearing that the truth was gra-
dually coming to light. The neighbours informed Mr.
Miller that about the tune it was rumoured that she had
exposed the institution, a mysterious pile of planks, twenty*
five feet in height, had been placed mysteriously in the
yard, which were wonderfully and gradually used in pro-
gressing some improvements in the building — ^for they were
neither employed outside nor hauled away.

Whatever may be the fact with regard to Maria Monk's
alleged disclosures, those of our people who have read your
papers, are satisfied in one point : that Mr. Stone's credi-
bility as a witness has been successfully impeached ; that
his examination of the Nunnery, was a mere sham ; that he
was either the dupe of Jesuitical imposture, or that he him-
self is a fond impostor ; that he has been unwillingly or
ignorantly befooled ; and unless he has had a tangible ro-
ward, that he has * got his labour for his pains.

* My wife, who spent her childhood in Montreal, says,
that she and her schoolmates, when walking the street near
^ Nunnery, often used to wonder ii the famous s«bterT%-

1 1

190

0WJXH}»a ow ra« pram.

nean passage was under the pluoe where they then stood :
and yet, forsooth, no person in Canada eyer before heard of
it I Whatever may be the facta in relation to those dis-
oloanres, we needed not your paper to satisfy us either that
Jesuits must be as holy as the ' Blessed Virgin Mother'
herself, or those conyenticles of unprotected females are
scenes of the w \ damning character. — A rR0TE8TA.NT/

From the Long Island Star, of Feb. 20th,

Since the publication of omx last paper, we have reoeiy*
ed a communication from Meusrs. Howe and Bates, of New
York, the publishers of Miss Monk's ' Awful Disclosures.'
It appears that some influence has been at work in that city,
adverse to the free examination of the case between her and
the priests of Canada ; for thus far the newspapers have
been most entirely dosed against everything in her defence,
whilst most of them have published false charges iigainst
the book, some of a preposterous nature, the contradiction
of which is plain and palpable.

' Betuming to New York, she then first resolved to pub-
lish her story, which she has recently done, after several
intelligent disinterested persons had satislied themselves by
much examination that it is true.

' When it became known in Canada that this was her in.
tention, six affidavits were published in some of the news-
papers, intended to destroy confldemie in her character ; but
these were found very contradictory in several important
points, and in others to afford undesigned confirmation of
statements before made by her.

* On the publication of her book, the New York Catholic
Dairy, the Truth-teller, the Green Banner, and other pa-
T)*«s, made virulent attacks upon it, and one of thampiO"
jf^H^d that the pnbliihan ahould be ' lysolied.* Am aawi)/*

ovtmovH or inie piiBSfl.

moos handbill was also oircolated in Mew York, decituing
the work a rnalignant libel, got up by Protestant clergy-
mim, and promiuing an ample refutation of it in a few
days. This were re-published in the Catholio Dairy, ftc,
with the old Montreal aiUdavits, which latter were distri-
buted through New York and Brooklyn ; and on the au-
thority of these, several Protestant newspapers denounced
the work as false and malicious.

* Another charge, quite inconsistent with the rest, was
also mado, not only by the leading Boman Catholic papers,
but by several others at second hand — viz., that it was a
mere copy of an old European work. Thip had been prompt-
ly denied by the publishers, with the ufier of 100 dollars
reward for any book at aU resembling it.

* Yet such is the resolution of some, and the unbelief of
others, that it is impossible for the publishers to obtain in-
sertion for the replies in the New York papor«i generally,
and they have been unsuccessful in an attempt at Phila-
delphia.

* This is the ground on which the foUowing article has
been offered to us, for publication in the Star. It was of -
forod to Mr. Schneller, a Boman Priest, aud Editor of the
Catholic Dairy, for insertion in his paper of Saturday be-
fore last, but refused, although written expressly as an an-
swer to the affidavits and charges Ai. previous number had
(X)utained. This artide has also been refused insertion in
a Philadelphia daily paper, after it had been satisfactorily
ascertained that there was no hope of gaining admission for
it into any of the New Y^ork papers.

* It should be stated, in addition, that the authoress of
the book, Maria Monk, is in New York, and stands reiidy
to answer any questions, and submit to any inquiries put in
a proper manner, and desires nothing so strongly as an op-
portunity to prove before a court the truth of her story.
She had already found several persons of respectability who
hav9 oonOnaed nome <^ the facta, important and likely U>

1 1

OPIMroWH OK TUB FKR!«H.

b* attented by concurrent evidence ; and mnch farther tet-
tunony in her favoiur may be soon expected by the public.

* With these facts before them, intelligent readers will
judge for themselves. She adks for inveHtigation, while
her opponents deny her every opportunity to m«et th-*
eharg^es made against her. Mr. Bchneller, after expressing
a wish to see her, to the publishers, refused to meet her
anywhere, unless in his own house ; while Mr. Quarter, an
other Roman Catholic priest, called to »m her at ten o'clock
one night, accompanied by another man, without giving
their names, and under the false pretence of being bearon
of a letter from her brother in Montreal.

MSLNER AND CO^ PR1NT£KS, MANCIfllSTtH.

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