uniting myself with them for a few hours' amusement on the Sunday and Thursday? Our proceedings are all carried on in public, and there is nothing of which we can possibly be ashamed." "Ah no, my son! but yet you must relinquish your present pursuits."

"But what do you fear? What do you desire of me?"

Here again, embracing me, she said, “If you love me do not oppose my wishes, but prepare yourself to enter some college for the purpose of studying philosophy."

As if struck with a thunderbolt, I remained stupified, but after a few seconds, the aversion which I had conceived to those monastic prisons, overcame my astonishment, and, in a burst of indignation, I sprang up, exclaiming-" O no! never, never shall that be! Now I perceive that some unworthy, some cruel friar, envious of my happiness, has been advising you”

I should have continued my exclamation, and who knows what more dangerous expressions might have fallen from my lips, had not the copious tears of my dear mother, who was totally unprepared for such a reply, softened my resentment. I flew to my room, and locking myself in, refused to answer any one who came to summon

me;

and it was not till the following day that, subdued by the entreaties of my sisters, I quitted my chamber.

I went immediately to my father, who in kind terms reproached me for my arrogance towards my mother, and signified his unalterable determination that I should enter a college. My mother at this moment joined us. Let me here be permitted to wish, with the patriarch Job, that this hour might be blotted out from the number of the hours of my life. The agreement for my slavery was now concluded-my replies were still negative; but the opponents with whom I had to contend were powerful and numerous; and vigorous as was my resistance, I was at length obliged to yield. The tears of my mother, the imperativeness of my father, and the prayers of my sisters, triumphed over my reluctance. They concluded with saying to me-" You will only remain in college the necessary time for the study of philosophy, and then you will return home."

Whilst the Jesuit Braudi was employed in deciding my destiny, other Jesuits were likewise exerting themselves to dissolve the union of the three hundred. Giovanni Lalli was sent to Pignano, to fill the post of Under Chancellor; and to get rid of him the more speedily the Jesuits hastened to decorate him with laurels. Argenti,

through the recommendation of the Jesuits, obtained an appointment in the bank of Torlonia. The son of the Cavalier Serazzani, though reluctant, was finally compelled, at the instigation of these men, to enrol himself as cadet of dragoons, while his brother was placed among the noble guards. The Father Perroni, a Jesuit, and confessor to the princely family of Ghigi, used his utmost influence with the parents to induce them to exercise their authority in preventing their son from joining the meetings this young man for a time refused obedience, but finally his removal was effected by his family procuring for him the appointment of lieutenant of the line. These were the heads of the union, and they being removed, it was speedily dissolved.

In the meanwhile, the time for my being transferred from the paternal roof to the regular Pontifical college, held by the Benedictine and Cistercian monks, in the monastery of San Bernardo, alle Terme Diocleziane, was fast approaching, I firmly believed that I was only entering these fatal doors in order to complete my studies, and that my seclusion would be but temporary. Alas!

delusive hope!-Persons of sinister aspect were constantly coming and going from my house. The Canon del Bufolo, D. Biagio Valentini, both apostolical missionaries, and D. Nivardo

Tassini, Superior of the Cistercian College, were the architects of the fraud that was fabricated for my ruin, without my having the least conception of their dark designs. It was resolved by them that, whether I would or not, I should be a Benedictine and Cistercian Monk. Some persons will inquire-But were not your parents in league with these men? No. They, like myself, were deceived, as will be hereafter seen.

The day for my departure arrived. My mother and sisters oft repeated their affectionate embraces, and the tears of the family were general. I entered the carriage. An icy chilliness fell upon my heart as I cast a last look upon my beloved home; something like a presentiment seemed to say, "This house is no longer thine." In passing through the streets, I saw many of my companions, who, ignorant of my new misfortune, gave me a joyous token of recognition; in return, I covered my face with my handkerchief to hide from them my tears. This was on 20th December, 1836. Behold me now at the entrance of the monastery of San Bernardo alle Terme Diocleziane. Behold me at the commencement of a stormy period of my life. Behold me about to recite a series of events of incredible appearance, but true and incontestable.

C

FIRST YEAR.

ON entering the College I was met by the Superiors, who received me most courteously, and were lavish in their expressions of kindness and regard. I ascribed these acts of politeness to goodness of heart-perfectly unconscious that they were merely adorning me with flowers, like the victims of old, previously to conducting me to the altar, to bleed under the knife of the sacrificer. My brother the priest, who had accompanied me, soon after took leave, and I was left alone with my enemies. Three apartments had been prepared for me, and to these I was conducted. The first was, as they told me, destined for the reception of visitors, the second for study, and the third for sleeping. Imagine my surprise and dismay at being compelled, after three days, to quit these spacious apartments, where my heart, oppressed with anguish at the loss of liberty, found a little satisfaction in the comforts which surrounded me.

During these three days of less severe imprisonment, I was permitted to roam at will over the monastery and garden. Perhaps this shadow