MONASTERY OF CHI QUINQUIKA. 237 



holy friars, than they had him painted on 

 his knees returning thanks to the miracu- 

 lous Virgin, with a view, on one side of 

 the drawing, of the danger he had escap- 

 ed ; but no sooner was he aware of the 

 painting being up, than he went and threat- 

 ened to expose them if they did not in- 

 stantly take it down, which was most 

 reluctantly done, as it was considered a 

 masterpiece in the miracle way, to which 

 the pilgrims paid great respect. From the 

 hall we entered the cloisters of the monas- 

 tery, affording a fine and spacious lounge 

 for the friars, but the whole in an unfi- 

 nished state. We were then met by a 

 friar, an acquaintance of Pepe's, who in- 

 troduced us to a second ; both then con- 

 ducted us by a private door into the church, 

 which is a handsome building, but inferior 

 to the cathedral of Bogota : men were 

 busily employed in painting it, in which 

 much want of taste was displayed, — all 



