Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/17

Rh. The distant parts arr put in perspective; little figures advance from hills and châlets, bearing gifts, all in size proportioned to the distance. Here the whole life of a peasant is represented to suggest the life at Nazareth—a village with shops; a little tavern prepared for travellers, with food, wine, and cooking utensils; people buying or selling, eating and drinking. This Presepio had splendid dresses for the Magi, whose camels and retinue with their presents filled much of the foreground. One aged Magus, with white hair, had literally cast his crown at the feet of the Child, and knelt before Him in deep devotion, presenting gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He wore a long white satin robe, beautifully embroidered in silk, and a magnificent tunic. The other two Magi, black and brown, wore their crowns of tinsel, but, perhaps, were supposed to remove them on doing homage. They were behind the aged king, and were dressed with equal magnificence in satin and broidered silk, and chains of gilding. Each king was attended by a very handsome boy, dressed as a page, who bore his train. Camels and sumpter mules were in the distance, covered with embroidered hangings. There were many pretty children and girls, exquisitely carved in wood, their features distinct and artistic; and many shepherds and peasants going or coming on the distant mountains. The angels were surmounted by a large scroll of Gloria in Excelsis. The shepherds were mostly asleep under trees.

(4) Another Presepio was in ''Sta. Ursula a Chiaga'' (Naples). In this the figures were smaller and more numerous, and more was shown of the distant village, with its daily life. Many incidents were introduced behind—St. John the Baptist, old Elizabeth, and Zachariah, of course bearded and white-haired; the Magi, clad in their long dresses and gay attire; Peter, an elderly rustic; Nicodemus, a fine young man, in velvet and gold; and others, forming a background to the Holy Family, who are small, finished figures, with the usual accessories—wonderfully graphic, though nothing but wood, paint, and