Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/295

Rh and for the gods they were in the habit of worshipping-before the arrival of the Spaniards. Notwithstanding the prevailing Catholic creed of the county a preference still prevails in such regions for their former superstitions, and the priestly missionaries have much to do to eradicate the inclination. The vagrant Indian who had just entered the building of the academy, was subject to these influences in a very high degree.

So soon as he had arrived unperceived within one of the apartments devoted to sculpture, therefore, and cast his eyes upon the statues round the walls, the ruined figures of his ancient gods presented themselves to his imagination. He stood for a time speechless and entranced: the scene was so unexpectedly striking to his fancy, that his breathing seemed suspended, and he tottered on the floor. He knew not what to think, as he beheld such images stored within a handsome apartment in the capital, after this fashion. He was inclined to fall down and worship them, when an idea entered his mind that they were kept there in mockery and degradation. He thought he had made the discovery that they were held in durance vile, for the purpose