Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... authorities as well as bj writers of legends. There are many ways of representing the three travellers on this remarkable journey, but all are easily recognized. There are a few in which they are either embarking or are in a boat crossing one of the streams or lakes which intercepted the course of their journey. Sometimes an angel assists the Virgin to enter, and sometimes steers the boat. See, also, St. Joseph. The Repose of the Holy Family (Ital. 11 Riposo; Ger. Die Ruhe in Aegypten; Fr. Le Repos de la Siiinte Famille). The subject of this picture is really an incident of the Flight; but it is not found in very early art, -- rarely, if at all, before the sixteenth century. When other figures than those of the Virgin and child with Joseph are introduced, it is not a Riposo, but a Holy Family. The legend states that the Holy Family reposed beneath a sycamore grove near the village of Matarea, and that near the same village a fountain sprang forth miraculously for their refreshment. This gave a religious interest to the sycamore, and the Crusaders brought it to Europe; and this same "Fountain of Mary " was shown me by the Arab guides, a few miles from Cairo. Mary is sometimes painted dipping water, and again washing linen in this fountain, which the legend also tells that she did. In pictures of the Repose, angels often minister to the comfort of the travellers, in various ways and with beautiful propriety. There is a wild ballad legend, which probably originated in the East, which gives an account of the meeting of Mary and a Zingara, or gypsy. The gypsy crosses the palm of the child and tells his future, according to their customs. Her prophecy of all his sufferings quite overcomes the Virgin; but the Zingara consoles her with the...
