Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/167

Rh him to be a wooden figure dressed up, and when he came near, he greatly excited our surprise and compassion. If he survives this day's work, it will be a miracle. I can now almost give faith to 's assertion, that in some of the villages, the man who represents Judas, actually hangs himself, or is hanged upon a tree! The Saviour was dressed in crimson velvet, with the crown of thorns; and a figure of the Virgin, in deep mourning, was carried after him by Indian women.

The procession consisted of the same men on horseback, as we had seen on foot the preceding day; of the Spy, the Pharisees, the Jews, the Betrayer and the mob. Some had helmets and feathers, and armor. Some wore wreaths of green and gold leaves. One very good-looking man, with long curls and a gold crown, and a splendid mantle of scarlet and gold, was intended for a Roman. By his crown, he probably meant to personify the Roman Cæsar. The sermon, or rather the discourse of the padre, was very good, and appeared to be extempore. He made an address to the Virgin, who was carried by and led up to the pulpit, and another to the Saviour, during which time the audience was breathlessly attentive, notwithstanding the crying of children and the barking of dogs. It was supposed that they were now leading Christ before the judgment seat of Pilate, and the next scene was to be the delivery of the sentence.

When the curate's discourse was finished, the procession went on; the Indian women began to sell their nuts and oranges, and the band struck up an