LEGEND OF THE VIRGIN. 65 
and lakes, slumbering in the misty sunshine, as beautiful as the days of 
our Indian summer. 
The steps and walls that led to this shrine were once in perfect order ; 
but the mountain chapel has been neglected, and suffered to decay since 
the holy picture was placed in the edifice on the plain, where the padres 
are more comfortably nestled than on the spot of the miraculous gift. 
As I gazed down from this elevation, I was struck with the appearance 
of a curious towering mass of brick and mortar, half way up the hill, 
that looked in the distance like a sail. Upon inquiry, I learned the fol- 
lowing story of its erection. 
Many years ago, while a wealthy Mexican was at sea, returning from 
Old Spain, a violent storm arose, which threatened his vessel with im- 
minent danger. The gale grew gradually stronger ; the vessel leaked ; 
every sail was lost, and hope herself seemed to have deserted the ill-starred 
bark, when the Mexican bethought him of the patron Virgin of his 
native land. In a moment he was on his knees, with a prayer and a vow to 
Guadalupe — a vow, that if she listened and saved, he would build in 
Mexico another temple to her glory ! The wind lulled — the sea became 
calm — -a friendly vessel hove in sight — and the drowning crew was 
rescued. 
But with the calm, the worshipper's fervor also relaxed ; and on his re- 
turn, instead of bestowing thousands in the adornment of at least a costly 
altar to the Virgin, he compromised the matter, by the erection of the 
semblance of a sail in brick and mortar on the ascending wall side ! 
Whether he ever trusted himself at sea again after such faithlessness, 
the legend does not tell ! 
While recounting the stories of this spot, it would be improper to omit 
the legend of the Virgin herself; and in order that it may come with due 
authority, and not rest alone upon hearsay, I translate the anecdote from 
a sermon of the Illustrious Cardinal de Lorenzano, Archbishop of Mex- 
ico, preached by him in the Collegiate church in 1760. 
" In the year 1531, ten years and four months after the conquest of 
Mexico, the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on the mountain of Te- 
peyac. The matter occurred thus: On the 9th of December of that 
year the adventurous Indian, Juan Diego, a native of Quatititlan, went to 
Tlaltelolco to study the Christian doctrine, inasmuch as it was there taught 
by certain holy Franciscan monks. Passing by the mountain, the Most 
Holy Virgin appeared, and told him to go, in her name, to the Illustrious 
Bishop Don Francisco Juan de Zummarraga, and say that she desired 
him to come and worship on that spot. On the 10th of the same month 
Juan Diego returned to the mountain, and the Holy Virgin again ap- 
peared, asking him the result of his commission. Diego replied, that 
notwithstanding his efforts, he could not obtain admission to the Bishop. 
Then, the Virgin answered, « Return, and tell him that I, Mary' the 
Mother of God, have sent you !' Juan Diego carefully executed the 
