Page:Star Film Catalogue 1908.pdf/146

 '''7. The Inquisition. The Torture Chamber. 1490 A. D.'''—About this time, the followers of the church were administering to recalcitrants those cruel tortures with which romances of the period are enlivened. In refined cruelty, Torquemada, the chief inquisitor of Spain, has never been excelled.

'''8. A Nocturnal Attack. Lord's and Ruffians. 1630 A. D.'''—In the 17th century, the streets of cities were poorly lighted. Bands of marauders were always skulking about looking for some unprotected victim. This view pictures a spirited encounter in Paris in which robbery was the prime motive.

'''9. Modern Times. A Street Fight. 1906 A. D.'''—In spite of extravagance in lighting the streets now-a-days and the superabundance of police, thugs are often sneaking about in the less frequented thoroughfares ready to knock a man down when the policeman's back is turned. This episode is begun when no officer is near, but the arrival of officials before the attack is ended makes things interesting all around.

'''10. The Hague Conference. 1907 A. D.'''—This scene is an amusing satire on the Conference at The Hague in which delegates urge the limitation of armaments and the disbanding of armies. Confusion reigns in the assembly. The speakers become so angry at not making themselves heard that they start a general rough-and-tumble fight. The session is ended, and the wounded descend the steps of the palace, staggering from bruises.

11. The Triumph of the Peace Congress.—The last scene gives an idea of the results of our Peace Conferences. One sees dead and wounded soldiers lying scattered upon a battlefield; and, towering over all, the Angel of Destruction looms up with her flaming sword and with a gun carriage at her feet.