uarrative comes out to be read to the world (it has already been read in heaven, where I must shortly appear at the judgment seat, and it will all be presented before me), I think, from what I know about them, the result will be this;-he will be privately sent to Spain or to the pope; not but what all the priests know themselves to be just as wicked; and I believe some are more wicked, although they may not have acted exactly as he has done; but some are deeper in seductions, and other snares and traps of wickedness. The only difference I think there is in the case, is, that Manuel is the individual through whom the information comes out. He has not only exposed his own wickedness under the cloak of a holy habit, but theirs also. Oh, how little have I been able to expose the many dark and gloomy places and corners which they have in the convents, that I know nothing about, except what they themselves have told me !-They are all, however, known to God.

During the time I was on the island, there were two priests sent privately away to Spain. I never learned exactly all the particulars of what they had done to their religion in exposing it; but they had done something of this kind, and they were kept prisoners in the convents several months before they were sent to Spain. They were confined in some cells, to which no communication could be had but by the superior of the convent. One belonged to St. Francisco convent, of the name of Ferdinand; the other belonged to St. Domingo convent, whose name I did not know, or have forgotten it. I used to hear my priest lament and say rash things about the old bishop and some priests who were the superiors of other convents. Before they were sent away, neither the priests, the prisoners, nor any one, except the bishop and the head priests of the convents, knew that they were going to be sent away to Spain, until the very hour of the day the vessel was to sail; and when they were taken on board by soldiers, as criminals, they did not wish to have it known. I asked my priest what they would do with them when they were in Spain. He said he did not know, but I could see by his countenance he dreaded something horrible. He often spoke about them in conversation with the other priests who came to my house; and he informed me, with regret, the very day they were sent away, charging me not to mention it to any one.

How much more of their wickedness I could have learned from Manuel, if, at that time, I had any desire to know, cannot be told now. When he brought his friends, among the other priests to the house, I have heard them consult about the affairs of different priests in the convents, and about their late bishop who died of the cholera. He was appointed but a short time before he died, but, as I said, it is all known to God. The bishop who died of the cholera did not suit the priests at all. They were sure he would not continue long in his office. He died unexpectedly to the people, and was buried privately, which led the people to talk much about it, when they compared his unknown burial with the funeral of the old bishop which was so splendid.

CHAPTER XXI.

I WILL mention here, that they have a Catholic priest living in Havanna, and one in Matanzas, who are of Irish descent. Their duty is to confess and instruct their own country people, or any foreigners who live in Havanna. The one in Havanna does not live in a convent with the other priests, but in a house alone; neither does he wear a habit, nor have his head shaved. The only thing by which you can know him to be a priest, when you meet him in the street, is the stock he wears, made of different colours, either blue or white, in stripes. His name is Father Bailey.

I have seen him, but had no acquaintance with him. I am not afraid to say, from what I have heard from the priests, that their convents harbour gentlemen and sons of the nobility, who have robbed or stabbed any one, or done something of this kind. Their parents or friends can put them into the convent to remain, so that they are not taken by the officers of the civil law; and they will come out at night, in disguise, to see their friends, and remain all the day in the convents. I mention this to let you know what the priests will do for money. I have heard from some of the priests, that they will even rob each other of money.*

* This priestly trait of robbing or stealing from one another, is by no means to be limited to the island of Cuba. Such conduct I have

K

There was a priest in St. Francisco convent, at the time I was living on the island, an elderly man, of the name of Father Sedoha, who died in a consumption after an illness of about two years. He had a large sum of money which he kept in an iron chest. I do not know the amount of his money, but my priest said it was a large amount. He kept it by the side of his bed, and, for several months before he died, he used to count it over, for fear some one had robbed him. A few weeks before his decease he became delirious, and he still continued counting it over. When he died it

was all missing. The superiors of the convent made a great stir about it, and a number of priests were suspected of having taken it,-Manuel among the number. At this time Manuel told me, that occasions of this kind frequently took place in the convents. They would rob from each other even when dying. They never are robbed by their servants; for when they are sick, their servants are not allowed to wait on them. The priests wait on each other.

I believe, from what I have heard and seen amongst them, that many a poor man whom the priests will get into the convents to be their servant, will be suddenly missing, without any one but the priests knowing where he is or what has become of him; but it is known to God. A servant who attends the priests, is more obedient and humble than a poor slave, in serving and aiding them in all their wickedness. I have been eye-witness of some of the wickedness of their servants, but they appear to do it in fear. Sometimes the priests are robbed by their Alcowaters of their citizen's clothes, when they are taking them to, or bringing them from, their houses. The priest cannot leave the convent in a citizen's dress. When they have robbed a priest in this way, and the priests pursue

frequently witnessed among them in the United States. They stole from me when I was one of their number, and I have known them frequently to steal from one another. One of them, a certain Rev. Mr. K- with a false key, entered the room of one of his comrade priests, during his absence on a missionary tour, broke open several of his trunks and boxes, and robbed him of various articles to a considerable amount. The priest returned, missed the articles that were stolen, suspicion fell upon the guilty, search was made, and some of the things stolen were found in the possession of his reverence Mr. K. I, myself, was one of those who made the search; therefore, I can personally testify to the truth of what I state.-ED.

them, they do not tell what they have been robbed of, but will say the Alcowaters have robbed the church; and when they are taken they punish them cruelly.*

I will mention here what I know of some of the old priests who were living in the convents, and who had formerly been priests of high standing in their churches; but through dissipation and wicked practices were laid aside. They were still maintained in the convent. Some of them were employed as door-keepers; others in keeping the convent clean, and various other offices, as they were old and decrepit. They were permitted to wear the old habits. I have heard it remarked of them, by Catholics of good standing, when seeing them pass in the street, as they go on commissions for the superior priests (and you can tell them by their old and faded habits, they look poor and forsaken), it would be remarked, "Look at that poor father! but a short time since he was a good man!"+ And another would say," Why, I know him; I have gone to him to confess and to have masses read!" The people would sometimes call them in, and treat them with wine and cigars, and give them money. They would appear to feel very sorry for them, and to pity them; but not to feel as if they were wicked and had done wrong.

I was spending the day in a Spanish family, when an elderly priest, about sixty years of age, came in. He belonged to St. Wanadou convent. They called him Father Antonia. I was informed by this family, that he had been a priest, beloved and worshipped by his people. The lady

*This is striking, and shows how well the authoress was versed in the technical quaintness of Jesuitism. She was thoroughly initiated into the mysterious subtleties of priestcraft, or this idea would never have glanced across her mind. How simple; how unaffected; and yet how wonderfully varied are the facts which she discloses!-ED.

This reminds me of something I observed when I was in France, which may very appropriately be introduced here, by way of illustration. The papists, in that country, are so habitually trained to connect the idea of holiness with that of levity, frivolity, and dissipation, that, when they wish to express a man is good or holy, they say, "Il est gaie," " HE IS LIVELY."-This levity and frivolity of disposition, which is so peculiarly characteristic of the French, is to them the only criterion by which to judge of a man's piety. If he is not "gay," as they call it, he cannot be pious, let him, in other respects, be what he may.-ED.

told me she had known him many years when he stood high, and she had often gone to him for masses and to confess; but through dissipation and other vices he was laid aside. He was a dreadful object to look at, both on account of the old age, and a disease he was labouring under, which disfigured his face. From the time he entered the house until he left, he never spoke on any subject without crossing himself. In talking over former days, when he stood, as a priest, respected and worshipped by his people, he mourned, and appeared to feel deeply his fallen situation. He cried like a child. But I do not know whether he was mourning for his sins, or for the loss of his character and the confidence of the people. Often, when any of the priests asked my priest, if he knew Father Antonia of St. Wanadou convent, he would reply that he did, and that he was a wicked man; and he believed he had made a league with the devil, and could put a spell and a curse on any one. The priests were all afraid to displease him, and were obliged to give him any little thing he asked for in the convent. His living was of the best that could be procured in St. Wanadou. Neither would he eat but in a room by himself. Manuel also told me this Father Antonia had, at one time, an immense amount of money left to him by different individuals who died, and left their property to have their souls prayed out of purgatory; but he became acquainted with a French lady, who had ruined him and made him poor. He told me too, that he believed he had left the religion of the Holy Catholic church, and had made a league with the devil. He spoke with all sincerity; and no doubt believed in the truth of what he said.

I knew another priest who was called Father Gosha, of St. Domingo convent, who was once a priest of high standing, and was almost worshipped by his people. Through the effects of dissipation and other vices which disfigured his features he was laid aside, but was still supported in the convent. He used to tell fortunes, and to sell things to conjure with. He is known all over the city and the country. People, far and near, would send for him to have their fortunes told, and he made money by it. He was a very elderly man, and walked with a crutch. I have sent for him to tell my fortune at a friend's house, as I dare not admit him to my own, because he was so well known by all the priests. He carried with him a box con