ROMAN SUPERSTITION AND CRUELTY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 597, 24 July 1858, Page 3

ROMAN SUPERSTITION AND CRUELTY.

Although the science of demonology and the practice of witchcraft are nearly abolished in countries boasting of Christian civilization or but faintly represented bj the modern accomplishments of table-turning and spirit-rapping, | some lingering remains of the black art, in its j legitimate mediaeval darkness, are occasionally brought before the notice of the ecclesiastical authorities in this country. A.striking and almost incredible example of the invocation, of diabolical aid, under circumstances which betray a great degree of avarice and cruelty, has recent- i ly occurred on the shores of the Adriatic, in the province of La Marca. A lady of some property, residing generally at Aqua-Santa, in the Papal dominions, but bordering on the Neapolitan territory, in which she also has property, has become possessed with the strongest conviction that in some part of her estates there is a hid- ] den treasure of enormous value j but that all | her attempts at its discovery are systematically | opposed by evil spirits. "H*ivmg been informed by some trustworthy old woman, who bears the reputation of being a strega, or witch, that nothing can allay the spite of these hostile spirits, and lead to the discovery of the treasure except sacrificing to them a male child of good parentage^ aritL under 6 years of age, this trea-sure-seeking signora has been for some months in quest of a child adapted for her purpose, and not too closely guarded for her kidnapping intentions. About a month ago she cast her evil eye upon a finelittle boj7 belonging to an English lady residing at Porto di Fermo, and skilfully watching her opportunity, contrived to entice the child away whilst rambling with its mother, and playing about on the seashore. The consternation of the mother at the child's disappearance may be easily imagined. Her husband being absent from home at the time, she sent a young man, her son-in-law, in quest of the child, and of the treasure-seeker who had inveigled him away. Towards night the young man succeeded in tracing the fugitive to a solitary house at a considerable distance, into which he endeavoured to obtain admittance, but was repulsed by the hostile demonstrations, of si body of armed retainers. He then?proceeded to the neighbouring town of Ascoli, to procure the assistance of the police, with a sufficient force of whom he returned to the solitary house, but too late to arrest the kidnappers, who had decamped with their victim. Meanwhile, the father of the child returned to his home, and having learnt the catastrophe, came out likewise in hot pursuit, which resulted, after several days' research, in the discovery of the hiding-place of the lady and child, at a curate's house in the Neapolitan dominions. During this interval the lady's house at Aqua Santa was subjected to a judicial search, and evidence was obtained that the child was to have been sacrificed there on Christmas-da}-. An altar had been prepared, with wax torches and all kinds of accessories, to immolate the boy to Satan! An ambuscade was established around the dwelling of this horrible revelation, and a party kept constantly on the watch, in case the lady should return to her habitual residence. In the meantime the father, having come up with the fugitives, demanded his child from the curate who harboured them; but the priest refused to comply, except on condition of a full pardon to the lady. Unwilling to pass over so heinous a transaction, the infuriated father appealed without delay to the bishop of the diocese, who took instant measures to rescue the child, and to arrest the - lady, who is now undergoing a trial for stregoneria, or witchcraft, and will most likely be punished accordingly.