Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/227

Rh pious visits and fond regrets of beloved survivors; with long grass flourishing, and wild flowers blooming over their silent bed. No hope of tiny feet pressing the soil above, and of subdued yet cheerful faces perusing the stone which tells where they lie. No thought of shady trees and twittering birds, of calm sabbaths, hymns of praise, and thronging worshippers: but all is neglect and desolation.

In the case of the wealthy, however, neither pomp nor expense is spared. To die rich in Mexico, and to bequeath the greater part of your riches to the Church, is not only to secure a splendid pageant on earth, but to possess a safe passport to heaven besides. Take no care for the welfare of friends and dependants: commend your family to the care of Heaven; reck not of wrongs committed, of wealth abused, of injustice unremedied, of urgent social duties left undone; only bear that huge, rich, national mendicant, the Church, in your testamentary remembrances, and your salvation is secure; and the number of masses and requiems to be said and sung, for the repose of your benevolent soul, will be proportioned to the price you paid for them.