Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/129

Rh bewailing their cruel deprivations, in various well-conceived attitudes of woe. As companion to this scene, on the other side, was the Flight into Egypt,—the supper part of which was filled with angelic spectators of the humble procession; and surely never did such a sleek, smooth donkey exist, as the one there depicted crossing a narrow board over a stream, with the Infant Christ on his back, in a small sombrero and serape, and Joseph and Mary on either side;—the former in a long-cloak and monk's hood, and the latter with miniature diamond ear-drops and a spangled petticoat.

The other two divisions of the piece were made to describe later events connected with the same history,—the Last Supper, and Christ washing the Apostles' feet: in one, the disciples were exhibited with the height of surprise on their faces at the conduct of Judas, to whom they were pointing, and who had hastily risen from the table with an indignant, scowling countenance: in the other, Peter was vehemently rejecting the offer of his Master, while Judas, money-bag in hand, again frowned on the party from behind, with one of the most villanous and malignant visages imaginable.