Meaning: The quote you provided comes from "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk," a sensational and controversial book published in 1836. The book purported to be the memoir of Maria Monk, a woman who claimed to have been a nun in the Hôtel-Dieu nunnery in Montreal, Canada. In it, Monk alleged widespread sexual abuse and corruption within the convent, including the claim that infants born to the nuns were baptized and then strangled.

The quote you provided is a chilling revelation of the alleged practices within the convent. It describes the horrifying fate of infants born in the convent, suggesting that they were not only denied the chance to live but were also subjected to a brutal and inhumane fate. The emotions evoked by this piece of information are described as "scarcely less dreadful," indicating that the author was already deeply disturbed by what they had been told and that this new revelation only added to their horror and distress.

The publication of "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk" caused a sensation in both the United States and Canada. It played into existing anti-Catholic sentiment and fueled fears and prejudices against the Catholic Church and its institutions. However, the veracity of Monk's claims quickly came into question, and the book was widely discredited. Historians and scholars have since concluded that the book was largely a work of fiction, with Monk's story being a fabrication designed to appeal to the prevailing anti-Catholic prejudices of the time.

The allegations of infanticide and other atrocities within the convent were particularly shocking and contributed to the book's notoriety. The idea of innocent infants being born into such a grim and merciless environment, only to meet a cruel and untimely end, struck a chord with the public and added to the sensationalism of Monk's supposed revelations.

In reality, there is no credible evidence to support the claims made in "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk." The book has been thoroughly debunked, and its author's credibility has been called into question. It is now widely regarded as a work of anti-Catholic propaganda rather than a factual account of events within a convent.

The legacy of "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of sensationalism, prejudice, and the manipulation of public opinion. The book's impact on popular attitudes towards Catholicism and its role in stoking anti-Catholic sentiment cannot be understated. It serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked prejudice and the importance of critically evaluating sources of information, particularly when they cater to preconceived biases and prejudices.

In conclusion, the quote you provided is a grim and unsettling glimpse into the sensational and discredited claims made in "The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk." While the emotions it evokes are powerful, it is important to approach such claims with skepticism and critical analysis, particularly when they play into existing prejudices and biases. The book's notoriety and the allegations it contains serve as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of sensationalism and the need for careful scrutiny of sources and their motives.