The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

450 INFLUENCE OF POPERY ON GOVERNMENT.in literature and in commerce, fell from its high place intoalmost utter annihilation.The author had once the fortune to be shown over a dismantledInquisition,—one, too, famous in its day ;and as itillustrates this part of his subject, he may be permittedhere to tell what fell under his own observation. In thesummer of 1847 we found ourselves one fine day on theshores of the Leman. At our feet was the Hhone pouringits abundant but discoloured waters into the beautifullyblue lake. The lake itself, moveless as a mirror, slept withinits snow-white strand, and reflected on its placid bosomthe goodly shadows of crag and mountain. Behind us, liketwo giants guarding the entrance to the lovely valley of theRhone, rose the mighty Alps, the Dent de Midi and theDent d'Oche, white with eternal snows. In front was theeastern bank of theof a dozen miles, and offering tolake, a magnificent bend, with a chordthe eye, rocks, vineyards,villages, and mountains, forming a gorgeous picture of commingledloveliness and grandeur. The scene was one of perfectbeauty, yet there was one dismal object in it. At abouta mile's distance, almost surrounded by the waters of thelake, rose the Castle of Chillon. Its heavy architecture appearedstill more dark and forbidding, from the gloomy recollectionswhich it called up. It had been at once thepalace and the Inquisition of the Dukes of Savoy, so celebratedin the persecuting annals of Rome ; and here hadmany of the disciples of the early reformers endured imprisonmentand torture. Wo had an hour to spare, and resolvedto pay a visit to the old Castle. We crossed thedraw-bridge, and a small gratuity procured us entrance, andthe services of a guide. We were first led down to Bonnivard'sdungeon, " deep and old." There is here a sort ofouter and inner dungeon ; and in passing through the first,the light was so scant, that we had to grope our way overthe uneven floor, which, like the landward wall, is formed ofthe living rock.Into this place had been crowded some hundredsof Jews ; and we felt—for we could not be said to see