dealt with as you ſee ſit, and if you impale her alive it will not be more than the deſerves."
"Your wits are too nimble, Nicolas," cried the udge; "have a care they do not run away with your diſcretion; recollect the blaſphemies you uttered in the hearing of thoſe pious people."
"I humbly pray your excellency," anſwered the riſoner, "to recollect that anger is a ſhort madneſs, and I hope allowances will be made by your holy council for words ſpoke in haſte to a rebellious mule: The prophet Balaam was thrown off his guard with a ſimple aſs, and what is an aſs compared to a mule? If your excellency had ſeen the lovely creature that was ſcreaming in agony till I came to her relief, and how fine a boy I uſhered into the world, which would have been loſt but for my aſiſtance, I am ſure I ſhould not be condemned for a few haſty words ſpoken in paſſion."
"Sirrah!" cried one of the puiſny judges, "reſpect the decency of the court."
"Produce the contents of this fellow's pockets before the court," ſaid the preſident, "lay them on the table."
"Monſter," reſumed the aforeſaid puiſny judge taking up the forceps, "what is the uſe of this diabolical machine?"
"Pleaſe your reverence," replied Pedroſa, "aptum eſt ad extrahendos foetus."—"Unnatural wretch," again exclaimed the judge, "you have murdered the mother."
"The Mother of God forbid," exclaimed Pedroſa, "I believe I have a proof in my pocket, that will acquit me of that charge :" and ſo ſaying, he tendered the letter we have before made mention of: The ſecretary took it, and by command of the court read as follows;
