red, the ropes were drawn together four different times. my side stood a physician and a surgeon, who often felt my temples, to judge of the danger, I might be in, by which means my tortures were suspended at intervals, that I might have an opportunity of recovering myself a little.

"While I thus suffered, they were so barbarous as to insult me by declaring, that were I to die under the torture, I should be guilty, by my obstinacy, of self murder. In fine, the last time the ropes were drawn tight, I grew so exceedingly weak, occasioned by the circulation of my blood being stopped, and the torments I endured, that I fainted quite away; so that I was carried back to my dungeon, in a state of utter insensibility.

"These barbarians, finding that the tortures above described could not extort any further confession from me, were so inhuman, six weeks after, as to expose me to another kind of torture, more grievous if possible than the former. They made me stretch my hands in such a manner, that the palms of my hands were turned outwards: when, by the help of a rope, which fastened them together at the wrist, and which they turned by an engine, they drew them gently nearer to one another behind, in such a manner that the back of each hand touched, and they stood exactly parallel one to the other; whereby my shoulders were both dislocated, and a considerable quantity of blood issued from my mouth. This torture was repeated thrice; after which I was again taken to my dungeon, and put into the hands of the physician and surgeon, who, in setting my bones, put me to exquisite pain.

"Two months after, being a little recovered, I was again conveyed to the torture-room; and there forced to undergo, two different times, another kind of punishment. The reader may judge of its horror, from the following description. The torturers turned, twice round my body, a thick iron chain, which crossing my stomach, terminated at my wrists. They next set my back against a thick board, at each extremity of which was a pulley; through which a rope ran, that was fastened to the end of the chain at my wrist. The tormentors then, stretching these ropes by means of a roller, pressed and bruised my stomach, in proportion as the ropes were drawn tighter. They tortured me upon this occasion in so

horrid a manner that both my wrists and shoulders were put out of joint.

"The surgeons, however, set them presently after; but the barbarians, having not yet satiated their cruelty, made me undergo this torture a second time; which I did with great pain, though with equal constancy and resolution. I was then remanded to my dungeon, attended by the surgeons who dressed my bruises: and here I remained until the celebration of the next auto da fe.

"The reader may judge, from this faint description, of the dreadful anguish which I must have endured, the nine different times they put me to the torture. Most of my limbs were put out of joint, and bruised in so schocking a manner, that I was unable, for many weeks, to move my hand to my mouth; my whole body being also dreadfully swelled by the inflammations caused by such frequent dislocations.

"The day of the auto da fe being come, I was made to walk in the procession, with the other victims of the tribunal. Being come to the church of Saint Dominic, my sentence was read, by which I was condemned to the galley, as it is called, during four years."

MAGNANIMOUS FULFILMENT OF A PROMISE.

A SPANISH cavalier having killed a Moorish gentleman at Grenada, in a duel, instantly fled from justice. He was vigorously pursued, but, availing himself of a sudden turn in the road, he leaped, unperceived, over a garden wall. The proprietor, who was also a Moor, happened to be, at that time, walking in the garden, and the Spaniard fell upon his knees before him, acquainted him with his case, and in the most pathetic manner, implored concealment. The Moor listened to him with compassion, and generously promised his assistance. He then locked him in a summer-house, and left him, with an assurance, that when night approached, he would provide for his escape. A few hours afterwards, the dead body of his son was brought to him, and the description of the murderer exactly agreed with the appearance of the Spaniard whom he had then in custody. He con

cealed the horror and suspicion which he felt; and retiring to his chamber, remained there till midnight. Then going privately into the garden, he opened the door of the summerhouse, and thus accosted the cavalier:-"Christian! the youth whom you have murdere was my only son. Your crime merits the severest punishment. But I have solemnly pledged my word for your security: and I disdain to violate even a rash engagement with a cruel enemy." He conducted the Spaniard to the stables, and furnished him with one of his swiftest mules. "Fly," said he, "whilst the darkness of the night conceals you--your hands are polluted with blood; but God is just, and I humbly thank him that my faith is unspotted, and that I have resigned judgment unto him."

ARTS PRACTISED BY MADAME VOISIN, A CELEBRATEC FORTUNE TELLER.

PARIS was disgraced by a woman, named Voisin, who occasioned many a wife to be freed of her husband. This public pest never refused her assistance to those who came to ask it. Like Mede and Circe of old, she understood the effects of poison, and under the pretence of diabolical influence, contrived to infuse the deadly venom into her victim's veins. When any lady desired her to consult the devil, in order to ascertain whether she was likely to become a widow or not, if much anxiety were manifested on the occasion, this sorceress, after making a variety of magical pretensions, would appoint a time when the husband should die, and which she said would be indicated by some particular sign or mark that could not be mistaken. Sometimes, before the husband was sacrificed, certain valuable mirrors, or china vases, &c. were to be broken. These losses were looked upon with much delight by women who had so unhappily sought their husband's deaths. It seldom happened, from the skill of this hateful sorceress in slow and subtle poisons, that her schemes were frustrated. She had many agents, and often contrived poisonous drugs to be given by the wife's own hand. Frequently would she bribe the domes

tics of the family where her agency was sought, to break a mirror or a vase, for the purpose of strenghtening the confidence reposed in her, and bringing about a tragical end.

Philibert, the famous flute-player, was then in the height of his fame. He had fallen in love with the daughter of a rich tradesinan, named Brunet, who had no other children. She was exceedingly beautiful, but very young; her mother, who was about forty years of age, always did the honors of the table when Philibert visited the house. The good man, M. Brunet, was delighted with the prospect of his daughter's approaching marriage, and frequently entertained Philibert at his table; he also often invited him to a tavern, and was so much delighted with his company, that he could not forbear speaking in high terms of praise of his delightful vivacity and amusing anecdotes. His wife, hearing these favorable things said of Philibert so repeatedly, raised in her heart an envious wish at her daughter's approaching happiness, and a determination to possess the object of it herself. She had immediate recourse to the wretch Voisin, who gave her some drug, which being administered to M. Brunet, despatched him to another world. His death was represented at the time as being the effect of apoplexy. The nuptials were consequently put off, and Madame Brunet became mistress of the wealth and fate of her daughter. When the last duties were paid the deceased, and Philibert was anxious to prosecute his wishes, he was told that as circumstances were changed, his views ought likewise to undergo a transmutation. It was whispered to him, that it would be the height of incivility to ask the hand of the daughter when the mother was unmarried in short, there was little difficulty in persuading him which union would be the most advantageous. Madame Brunet, in a marriage contract which was drawn up as soon as decency would permit, assigned a considerable portion of money to Philibert, and they were married. The young daughter was placed in a convent, and Philibert was as happy as riches and an agreeable wife, whose beauty was not entirely faded, could make him, until an incident occurred which occasioned the union to lose its charms. It pleased Providence to overtake Voisin in her wicked career, after the commission of so many crimes, which she expiated by for.

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feiting her life to offended human justice. I do not pretend to know whether she escaped divine justice, but I am willing to believe charitably on that head, as it was confidently asserted that she died very repentant.

It was this unhappy woman's custom to keep a register of the names of those individuals who had recourse to her guilty practices, and in that list was found the name of Madame Brunet. No sooner was this discovered, than she was taken into custody, convicted, and executed almost immediately. Philibert was suspected of being a partner in the crime, and was enjoined by all his friends to escape; even the king himself advised him to do so, inasmuch as if he was proved to be the least concerned in the affair, no pardon could be granted him. Philibert thanked his majesty for his lenient interference, but affirmed as his conscience did not accuse him, he would not give his enemies cause for triumph by flight; that he was fully prepared to have his conduct investigated, and that he anticipated a complete justification from his judges. He offered to go to prison, but before he went, his friend Coteaux exhorted him on the uncertainty of human tribunals in an affair so peculiar, and with a generosity worthy of Pelades or Prestes, offered to partake his fortunes with him in any place he should select for an asylum. "With our talents," said he, "my dear Philibert, what need we fear? there is no sovereign who will not joyfully receive us into his court. Let us seek another country; we cannot long remain strangers; and let us traverse the whole world together, rather than be separated." Philibert expressed his warmest acknowledgments for his friend's disinterested suggestions, but remained firm in his first determination, and gave himself up to the course of justice, which acquitted him of the slightest participation in the untimely end of the wealthy citizen. His friends congratulated him on the happy termination of the affair, and the king permitted him to take the forfeited property of Madame Brunet.

The register kept by Voisin might funish a number of examples to prove the truth of women engaging in wretched affairs of guilt. I am unable to assign a reason why this unhappy woman placed the names of all her applicants on a list. It is pretended that it was done in order to