ted with kindness, each according to
his station in life. Every sort of infamy upon the party concerned
must be avoided as much as possible.

8. In receiving denunciations there shall be no delay, but rather
great care and diligence, as likewise in examining the evidence,
following and keeping within the bounds of the injunctions laid down
in the instructions which are especially sent for that purpose. The
same and even greater care, and much attention, are required in
forwarding depositions.

9. Since it often happens that some of the witnesses are out of the
city, and therefore depositions must be taken in different places,
let the case in question decide the course of procedure, whether
or not the commissary shall order the witness to appear before
him. Usually there is no need to cause the witnesses the trouble of
coming a long distance, when the investigation can be entrusted to
the parish priest [_cura_] or vicar of the place, the notary making
certification at the head of the authorization therefor given to him
by this clause. A case may arise where it is best to wait for the
witness, and it may be desirable to hold him, in order to examine
him personally; this is left to the commissary's choice, for, having
the case before him, he can decide what is best to do. If any one be
summoned on the affairs of the Holy Office and shall not render due
obedience, a written order must be sent to him, imposing upon him the
penalty of excommunication and a fine in money, should he disobey. A
report of all proceedings in each individual case shall be made,
so that the disobedient person may receive exemplary punishment,
according to his station in life and the nature of his disobedience.

10. Some are accustomed to send their denunciations through memorials,
with or without their signatures, or by letters-missive; but, since
these persons write them under no pressure or oath, and without the
presence of a judge or a notary, they expand their accusations to the
detriment of their neighbor's reputation. Therefore the commissary
ought to avoid as much as possible the acceptance of such letters
and memorials, and shall order the witnesses to declare under oath
what they know of the matter, in order to free their consciences,
and shall examine them concerning the facts. If the acceptance of
such a letter cannot be avoided, the person who writes it should be
summoned and made to acknowledge it under oath before a notary, after
w