Letter from the Earl of Shrewsbury to Ambrose Lisle Phillipps, Esq. Descriptive of the Estatica of Caldaro and the Addolorata of Capriana (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842. Excerpt: ... A LETTER, ETC. Munich, Maij 27, 1841. My Dear Friend, You have doubtlessly heard of the Estatica of Caldaro, and of the Addolorata of Capriana. We have lately seen both: and considering them the most extraordinary objects in existence, and confident that you will feel the same intense interest in their regard that we did, I will endeavour, as leisure and opportunity shall serve, to give you a more distinct notion of them than you have probably yet formed. On Thursday, the 20th of May, being Ascension day, we left Neumarkt, a post station about half way between Trent and Botzen, in those light but incommodious carriages which alone are to be procured in those parts of the country, and after travelling for about two hours along an exceedingly rough road, through a wide and smiling valley, we ascended to the large, substantial village of Caldaro. Having brought letters from the bishop of Trent to the clergymen of the place, we were very shortly introduced into the house and into the chamber of B 2 the Estatica, accompanied by her confessor and the assistant priest of the dean. It was about eleven o'clock. We found her in her usual state of ecstacy, as represented in the annexed print, kneeling upon her bed, with her eyes uplifted, and her hands joined in the attitude of prayer, as motionless as a statue. She was dressed in white, with her head uncovered, but with very long, flowing, black hair; and there was much of elegance in her figure, and grace in her attitude. Our first feeling was that of awe at finding ourselves in the presence of so favoured a creature. When this had partially subsided, we might have mistaken her for a waxen image: for it appeared impossible that any being possessed of a soul could seem so inanimate--could remain so motionless; stil...