Many Of Them Have Died Possessed Of Considerable Riches,
Part Of Which They Have Not Unfrequently Bequeathed To The Erection
Or Embellishment Of Religious Houses.
On the east end of the cathedral of Astorga, which towers over the
lofty and precipitous wall, a colossal figure of lead may be seen
on the roof.
It is the statue of a Maragato carrier who endowed
the cathedral with a large sum. He is in his national dress, but
his head is averted from the lands of his fathers, and whilst he
waves in his hand a species of flag, he seems to be summoning his
race from their unfruitful region to other climes, where a richer
field is open to their industry and enterprise.
I spoke to several of these men respecting the all-important
subject of religion; but I found "their hearts gross, and their
ears dull of hearing, and their eyes closed." There was one in
particular to whom I showed the New Testament, and whom I addressed
for a considerable time. He listened or seemed to listen
patiently, taking occasionally copious draughts from an immense jug
of whitish wine which stood between his knees. After I had
concluded he said, "To-morrow I set out for Lugo, whither, I am
told, yourself are going. If you wish to send your chest, I have
no objection to take it at so much (naming an extravagant price).
As for what you have told me, I understand little of it, and
believe not a word of it; but in respect to the books which you
have shown me, I will take three or four.
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