He is, however, in good repute as an artist.

I saw recently one of his pictures in which he represents the Saviour carrying his cross to Calvary.

In this he represents pilgrims with their staves, Spanish soldiers in doublets, monks and nuns; there is even a statue of the Blessed Virgin suspended on a tree, and that at a time when there was no Christianity, no Saint James of Compostella, neither convents nor Spaniards." "That is indeed singular," said Deodati, smiling.

"It seems to me that such conceits do but very little honor to the artist.

Is it a custom among other artists in the Netherlands to sport thus with holy things ?" "No; Signor Breughel is an exception.