n them.

The descendants of the old families thus intermingled, not only lost
_caste_, but, as the genealogy of every family was well known, they were
looked upon with suspicion, and were always at the mercy of the Holy
Office, when denounced for Judaism,--that is, for returning to the old
Jewish practices of keeping the Passover, and the other ceremonies
enforced by Moses.

Let us see how an accusation of this kind works in the hands of the
Inquisition. A really sincere Catholic, descended from one of these
unhappy families, is accused and arrested by the orders of the
Inquisition; he is ordered to declare his property, which,--convinced of
his innocence, and expecting soon to be released, he does without
reservation. But hardly has the key of the dungeon turned upon him,
when all his effects are seized and sold by public auction, it being
well understood that they never will be restored to him. After some
months' confinement, he is called into the Hall of Justice, and asked if
he knows why he is in prison; they advise him earnestly to confess and
to conceal nothing, as it is the only way by which he can obtain his
liberty. He declares his ignorance and being sent for several times,
persists in it. The period of the _auto-da-fe_, or act of faith, which
takes place every two or three years, (that is, the public execution of
those who have been found guilty by the Inquisition,) approaches. The
public accuser then comes forward, stating that the prisoner has been
accused by a number of witnesses of Judaism. They persuade him to
acknowledge his guilt. He persists in his innocence; they then pass a
sentence on him, which they term _Convicte Invotivo_, which means "found
guilty, but will not confess his crime;" and he is sentenced to be burnt
at the approaching celebration. After this they follow him to his cell,
and exhort him to confess his guilt, and promise that if he does confess
he shall be pardoned; and these appeals are continued until the evening
of the day before his execution. Terrified at the idea of a painful
death, the wretch, at last, to save his life, consents. He is called
into the Hall of Judgment, confesses the crime that he has not
committed, and imagines that he is now saved.--Alas! now he has
entangled himself, and cannot escape.

"You acknowledge that you have been guilty of observing the laws of
Moses. These ceremonies cannot be performed alone; you cannot have
eaten the Paschal lamb _a