The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

proved by the following saying to be met in the
mouths of every one:--
“Question--What constituted the Inquisition?
“Answer--One crucifix, two candlesticks, and
three blockheads, alluding to the form and parade
of its sittings, and the number of the Judges present
thereat.”[10]
The culprit was obliged to declare his whole
genealogy and descent, and to state whether any of
his ancestors, in a direct or transversal line, or his
brothers, wife, children, or, indeed, himself, had at
any time previously been arraigned before the
tribunal, and penanced by it. The real object of all
this was to obtain possession of the property he
might have inherited, by declaring the right of
succession null and void.
There were three kinds of torture generally
used by the Inquisition; viz., the pulley, the rack,
and the fire. The apartment in which these were
inflicted was underground, and was called the hall
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