THE

CONVENT IN AISQUITH STREET-ESCAPE OF A NUNTHE DOCTRINE OF CELIBACY IN POPISH PRIESTS AND NUNS.

On the opening of the Convent in Aisquith street, we repaired with a few who were moved by curiosity to see the inside of one of those buildings, that had excited so much attention in past ages. Our company consisted of four men, who were returning from the funeral of an old and enterprising citizen, two of them sea captains, who had for many years sailed to Papal countries, in which they had seen enough of the morals of the Roman Priesthood, to form not a very favourable opinion, either of them or of their religion. One of them, after we had gone through it, gave a history of one that he had seen torn down by a Papal community, and the exposition made within its walls and in an adjoining pond was such as we will not venture to describe. Another was surprized to think that an enlightened community would suffer such an institution to be erected within its limits. After running hastily through the upper parts of the building, (for, if our memory serves us correctly, we were not invited to take a look at the cellar) we departed, and have never met since.

At that time such was the rod of terror held over the Protestant part of the community, or any that would say any thing against Popery, that few dared to speak what they thought, lest it should. come to the ears of a priest, and he or some of his lay assistants shoull give them trouble. The fears thus excited have kept back many from speaking their mind with reference to the convent, and checked rumors that would occasionally get afloat. Yet notwithstanding this constant dread of Papal indignation, and the watchfulness of those having charge of the establishment, now and then a case slips out that takes wing and gets beyond the control of the' Superiors. For example, as early as 1835, a man who was engaged in repairing a house in the neighbourhood of the Convent, reported that he heard a noise like the lashing of a whip in the direction of the Convent, and when turning around to see what was the