Wood engraving illustration for the story "the queen's messenger in mexico" by john harwood, once a week magazine, volume 8, page 561. The queen's messenger (left) has stopped at an inn (posada) in mexico and in this illustration is being greeted by the very friendly landlord -- who is reaching for a bottle of drugged wine in preparation for an attempt at robbery and murder. There is a murder weapon hanging on the wall. In the background, left, the landlord's wife and son, right, two native-mexican servants. The illustrator has filled the scene with details noticeably mexican and therefore sinister to a victorian englishman's eyes, such as the costumes and the eye-catching religious symbols. Date: 16 May 1863.
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