MARRIAGES IN CHINA

Are effected through the assistance of go-betweens, who enjoy, however,
a very different repute from those of Europe, inasmuch as, among the
former, the employ is of the most honourable character.

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There are 300 palaces at Rome, of which 65 only are worth seeing, and
these are defined to be houses which have arched gateways into which
carriages can drive. Some of these palaces contain pictures and statues
worth 130 or 160,000_l_., but with scarce a window whose panes are all
whole, or a clean staircase.

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HORRORS OF THE INQUISITION IN SPAIN.

Endless was the catalogue of most pious men and eminent scholars who
underwent purification, as it is termed, in this den of superstition and
tyranny. The culprit was not permitted to speak with his attorney,
except in the presence of the inquisitor and a notary, who took notes,
and certified what passed; and so far from the names of the informer or
of the witnesses being supplied, every thing that could facilitate the
explanation of them was expunged from the declarations; and the
prisoners, one and all, in these dungeons might truly exclaim, with Fray
Luis de Leon, "I feel the pain, but see not the hand which inflicts
it." Even in the early days of the inquisition, torture was carried to
such an extent, that Sextus IV., in a brief published Jan. 29, 1482,