To these observations the inquisitor made no reply; but seemed impatient that I should withdraw.  “My good father,” said I; “I am about to take my leave of you, and to thank you for your hospitable attentions; and I wish to preserve on my mind a favorable sentiment of your kindness and candor.  You cannot, you say, show me the captives and the dungeons; be pleased, then, merely to answer this question, for I shall believe your word:  how many prisoners are there now below in the cells of the Inquisition?” He replied, “That is a question which I cannot answer.”  On his pronouncing these words, I retired hastily towards the door, and wished him farewell.  We shook hands with as much cordiality as we could, at the moment, assume; and both of us, I believe, were sorry that our parting took place with a clouded countenance.

After leaving the inquisitor, Dr. Buchanan, feeling as if he could not refrain from endeavoring to get another and perhaps a nearer view, returned to avail himself of the pretext afforded by a promise from the chief inquisitor, of a letter to one of the British residents at Travancore, in answer to one which he had brought him from that officer.  The inquisitors he expected to find within, in the “board of the holy office.”  The door-keepers surveyed him doubtfully, but allowed him to pass.  He entered the great hall, went up directly to the lofty crucifix described by Dellon, sat down on a form, wrote some notes, and then desired an attendant to carry in his name to the inquisitor.  As he was walking across the hall, he saw a poor woman sitting by the wall.  She clasped her hands, and looked at him imploringly.  The sight chilled his spirits; and as he was asking the attendants the cause of her apprehension,—­for she was awaiting trial,—­Joseph a Doloribus came, in answer to his message, and was about to complain of the intrusion, when he parried the complaint by asking for the letter from the chief inquisitor.  He promised to send it after him, and conducted him to the door.  As they passed the poor woman, the doctor pointed to her, and said with emphasis, “Behold, father, another victim of the Holy Inquisition.”  The other answered nothing; they bowed, and separated without a word.

When Dr. Buchanan published his “Christian Researches in Asia,” in the year 1812, the Inquisition still existed at Goa; but the establishment of constitutional government in Portugal, put an end to it throughout the whole Portuguese dominions.

APPENDIX V.

Inquisition at Macerata, Italy. 
Narrative of Mr. Bower.  Meth.  MAG.  Third vol.