Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/50

 42 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

Let us enjoy the presentation as a whole. Whoever be its origi- nal author, whether an early and well-read Spanish missionary, or a Mexican of the modern school, it must be owned that he knew how to weave the foreign fibres so adroitly together that no seam is left visible. What made it attractive to us, at first sight, was the un- wonted and wonderful humor with which here and there the tale is salted.

This alone may recommend it to incorporation in folk-lore annals. Think of that breathless moon-god plodding behind his worthy brother, the throat choked with a kicking rabbit ! Think of the supreme god who tries to secure men's salvation by the clever trick of putting out of tune the instruments of the orchestra divine, and causing such a disharmonious pitch that even vile Satanas cannot stand the caterwauling ! He has to run away and seek rest in his cavernous abode, the hell, in which, indeed, we wish he would have remained bottled up — forever.

Ph. J.J. Valentini.

Note. — The foregoing paper contains the last of the contributions to Mexi- cana made by the well-known author. Dr. Valentini passed away from this life in New York, March 16, 1899. — Editor of the Journal of American Folk-Lore.

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