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[Transcriber's Note: The original page scans used to create this text
were illegible in places; the notation [illegible] has been used in the
text to indicate these places. Additionally, Chapter XIV was missing
from both the table of contents and the book; presumably this is a
printing error as opposed to an actual missing chapter.]




AWFUL DISCLOSURES,

By

MARIA MONK,

Of the

HOTEL DIEU NUNNERY OF MONTREAL.

Containing, also, Many Incidents Never Before Published.




PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.


This volume embraces not only my "Awful Disclosures," but a
continuation of my Narrative, giving an account of events after my
escape from the Nunnery, and of my return to Montreal to procure a
legal investigation of my charges. It also [illegible] all the
testimony that has been published against me, or every description, as
well as that which has been given in confirmation of my story. At the
close, will be found a Review of the whole Subject, furnished by a
gentleman well qualified for the purpose; and finally, a copious
Appendix, giving further particulars interesting to the public.

I present this volume to the reader, with feelings which, I trust, will
be in some degree appreciated when it has been read and reflected upon.
A hasty perusal, and an imperfect apprehension of its contents, can
never produce such impressions as it has been my design to make by the
statements I have laid before the world. I know that misapprehensions
exist in the minds of some virtuous people. I am not disposed to
condemn their motives, for it does not seem wonderful that in a pure
state of society, and in the midst of Christian families, there should
be persons who regard the crimes I have mentioned as too monstrous to
believed. It certainly is creditable to American manners and character,
that the people are inclined, at the first sight, to turn from my story
with horror.

There is also an excuse for those who, having received only a general
impression concerning the nature of my Disclosures, question the
propriety of publishing such immorality to the world. They fear that
the minds of the young, at least, may be polluted. To such I have to
say, that this objection was examined and set aside, long before they
had an opportunity to make it. I solemnly believe it is necessary to
inform parents, at least, that the ruin from which I have barely
escaped, lies in the way of their children, even if delicacy must be in
some degree wounded by revealing the fact. I understand the case, alas!
from too bitter experience. Many an innocent girl may this year be
exposed to the dangers of which I was ignorant. I am resolved, that so
far as depends on me, not one more victim shall fall into the hands of
those enemies in whose power I so lately have been. I know what it is
to be under the dominion of Nuns and Priests; and I maintain, that it
is a far greater offence against virtue and decency to conceal than to
proclaim their crimes. Ah! had a single warning voice even whispered to
me a word of caution--had even a gentle note of alarm been sounded to
me, it might have turned back my foot from the Convent when it was upon
the threshold! If, therefore, there is any one now bending a step that
way, whom I have, not yet alarmed, I will cry _beware!_

But the virtuous reader need not fear, in the following pages, to meet
with vice presented in any dress but her own deformity. No one can
accuse me of giving a single attraction to crime. On the contrary, I
intend my book shall be a warning to those who may hereafter be tempted
by vice; and with the confidence that such it will prove to be, I
commend it to the careful examination of virtuous parents, and am
willing to abide by their unbiased opinion, with regard both to my
truth, my motives, and the interest which the public have in the
developments it contains.

I would now appeal to the world, and ask, whether I have not done all
that could have been expected of me, and all that lay in my power, to
bring to an investigation the charges I have brought against the
priests and nuns of Canada. Although it was necessary to the cause of
truth, that I should, in some degree, implicate myself, I have not
hesitated to appear as a voluntary self-accuser before the world. While
there was a hope