One circumstance in the persecution yet remains to be exhibited. A decree with the force of law published by the Provisional Government on October 10 revokes all exceptional legislation, and in its first article, No. 2, it assigns as the motive of such revocation that "there are now no permanent penalties of unlimited duration in the Portuguese Republic." But, strange to say, the law fulminated against the Society of Jesus is in flat contradiction to this declaration. Against us has been issued an exceptional law, so odious that one is astounded to think that in the twentieth century it has been possible to institute in full vigor such draconian legislation, and to claim for it the attribute of most absolute despotism. As though it were not enough to show its palpable opposition to the liberal profession of the new republic, the sentence which condemns us to exile and deprives us of the rights of Portuguese subjects is a permanent one, solemnly promulgated with the ruthless formula "for ever." Such is the slight sketch of the tyrannies of which we have been the victims in the name of liberty. _THE CHARGES AND THEIR ANSWERS._ It will naturally be asked, what were our crimes? In the first place, it is passing strange that to this moment not a single offense has been alleged against us. The law of October 8 assigns none, but appeals to the ancient obsolete legislation of Pombal (1758) and Aguiar (1834) it revokes Hintese Ribeiro's decree, and promulgates antiquated vexations by which to victimize us. On the other hand, public opinion--so-called--misled by the wild declamations of an irreconcilable press, never succeeded in formulating against us more than the vague charges devised by Jacobin novelists. In spite of all researches in the columns of anti-Jesuit journalism, or amongst the legends which circulate amongst the most credulous of my compatriots, I can find no accusation that does not fall under one of these six heads: 1. Armaments and subterranean galleries. 2. Wealth and fraudulent acquisition of inheritances. 3. Inveigling youths to become Jesuits. 4. Secret associations. 5. Political and anti-republican activity. 6. Reactionary influence. In this dark hour, when with sad hearts we are all compelled to quit our beloved Portugal, I owe to my country a categorical reply to these accusations of our persecutors. _1. ARMAMENTS AND SUBTERRANEAN GALLERIES._ The answer is simple. We had no armaments whatever, nor in any of our houses were there subterranean passages by which to escape or communicate with others. [Illustration: ARRESTING A NUN.]