nine months
during which "The Word was made flesh." The "Cat-and-nine-tails" and
the "Incarnation"!!

G. This _Flagellum_ is a modification of B, D, and L.

H, J, P. These are _Bands_ for the _limbs_, and, like A and E, are
covered with _spikes_.

I. This is a _Cross_ similar to that resting upon the "I. H. S." above.

K. This is a _Cross_ and _Heart_ to be worn over the seat of the
affections, to show that all "natural affection" is to be crucified.
This was painfully illustrated in the case of a young lady who had left
her home and entered one of these Conventual Establishments to the
great grief of her parents. Her father called at the convent to see
her. She was brought to him, and on his expostulating with her, and
soliciting her return home, he observed that she pressed her hands
against her breast, and seemed to suffer excruciating pain. After a
little, blood oozed through her dress, and she was then withdrawn by
the "Sisters."

L. This _Flagellum_ may be called the Mother Superior's "_Wild Cat_."

M. This _Flagellum_ has Seven tails, to represent the "Seven Dolours"
of the Virgin; and a doleful tale they tell.

N. These two _Nets_ of Iron wire, covered over with _spikes_, are for
the most cruel and immodest purposes. We dare not describe them.

O. Each of these two hemispheres, together forming a _Nut_, has _five
brass spikes_, which are used for imprinting the _Stigmata_ or "Five
wounds" of Christ upon the _Religious_.

Were such cruelties perpetrated upon the _Heathen_, all our _Christian_
Churches would resound with appeals to the sympathy of the people to
come to the help of the sufferers, whether _Fanatics_ or _Victims_.
This would be commendable. Why, then, is the same course not adopted
on behalf of Nuns, who, as Rev. Pierce Connelly says, "are not only
slaves, but who are, _de facto_, by a Satanic consecration, secret
prisoners for life, and may any day be put an end to, or much worse,
with less risk of vengeance here in England than in Italy or
Spain!"--Extracted from the Annual Report of the Protestant Evangelical
Mission and Electoral Union, January, 1873.

PREFACE.

The following pages--intended to restore _Domestic Life_ to French
Society--formed the Preface to the Third Edition of _Priests, Women,
and Families_, by M. Michelet, of which celebrated work, "THE
PROTESTANT EVANGELICAL MISSION" have published an Edition in English.

This book has produced upon our a