LORENZO TERRADER _Presbyter,
Notary in this investigation_.
* * * * *
DON LEONARDO VIDAL, assistant to a founder of brass cannon, aged
twentythree years, a native of San Estevan de Ripollet, in the diocese
of Barcelona, and residing in _la Rambla_, near the theatre, next door
to a tallow chandler’s, to discharge his conscience, and for no other
purpose, gives the following information to the Holy Office.
Antonio Suarez, the keeper of a coffee-house, opposite the Theatre in
_la Rambla_, has in one of his rooms six or eight pictures, rather
coarsely done, two of which contain indecent figures. All of these the
informant has seen, but remembers only one, which represents a young man
taking hold of a female who has her bosom indecently exposed. The said
Antonio is about fifty years of age, lame and splayfooted, with one arm
partly crippled and the fingers contracted.
Also, with the same motive, he gives information that Dr Manuel Portius,
Presbyter, a public teacher of Latin and the Humanities, aged
thirtyeight years, of a low stature, and with a somewhat long nose,
living in the Baxada de San Miguel, in the third story of a house, the
corner of which is occupied by a baker, has several pictures, colored
and uncolored, among which are some representing females whose bosoms
are scandalously exposed, and others with improper representations. One
of these has this title; ‘L’Abbé a la Toilette,’ and exhibits with other
figures, a priest in his calotte, very nicely dressed in the clothes of
a layman, seated at the side of a lady, with whom he appears to be
talking about dress. All these pictures of Dr Manuel Portius are
handsomely executed, and consequently the more provocative and
scandalous. They are hung upon the walls of his cabinet or study, in
view of every one who enters, and particularly of his pupils, the number
of whom, as I understand, amounts to nearly thirty.
Furthermore, he gives information that Don Felipe Crame, a captain in
the royal artillery, tall, light complexioned, red haired, and blind of
one eye, aged thirtyfive years, being in conversation with the informant
and three others, whose names will be hereafter specified, made the
following observation:--‘_A Spanish officer whom I hold in estimation,
has said that it was not the will of God that there should be any kings,
which could be proved by a passage from scripture._’ This passage he
quoted, which was not to the purpose, but only, as I remember, stated
that God told the Israelites that a king was not convenient for them.
The name of this officer, the said Don Felipe Crame did not mention, and
nothing else respecting him is known to the informant.
The persons who heard these observations from the mouth of the said Don
Felipe Crame, were Don Manuel Pe, an assistant of the cannon founder,
and Don Antonio de la Torre, clerk of the director of the foundry. There
are also others who have some knowledge of the same; namely, Don Manuel
Brito, and Don Alexandro Vicente, assistants in the foundry.
The informant undertook to make an accusation in the name of the above
persons. He also apprized the said Don Felipe Crame, that he was under
an obligation to denounce his friend, and as the informant knows not
whether this has been performed, he gives the present information in
order fully to discharge his conscience.
Barcelona, February fourth, 1793.