Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/148

126 passes over the instep of the left foot in a singular manner, intended, as it might be conjectured, to serve as a stirrup- guard, and the position of the left foot, which is doubled under itself, is unusual. This effigy measures in length 7ft. 6 in., the width of the slab at the top is 2ft. 5in., and at the lower extremity 2ft.

The inscription which is observable upon the cushion, and adjoining part of the slab, on the left side of the head of the effigy. No. II., may, I am disposed to think, be regarded as of a subsequent period to the date of the sculpture itself. The last letter is placed upon the bevelled edge of the slab, the letters are badly formed, and it is now impossible to decypher the inscription, a part of which appears to run as follows:—I : HACKET : FILIA.

I will now offer a few general remarks on all these monumental figures. The first impression which they convey to the mind is, that the area of the slabs upon which they have been carved was not sufficient to comprise and give proper effect to the sculpture. Thus, on examination of the effigy. No. I., we find that the fold of the long mantle which falls over the place where the left foot would be found in crossing the right, projects beyond the bevelled edge of the slab, whilst the right elbow of the figure has manifestly been mutilated, and part of the cloak has been cut away, independently of the injury which it has sustained from accident.

No. II. Here we find that the slab has been cut away at the top till it became level with the flat band surrounding the head; and, as may be distinctly perceived, close to the right elbow of the figure the bevelled edge of the stone has been waved, to adapt it as much as possible to the folds of the mantle, the same contrivance being also observable lower down on the same side near the left knee.

No. III. This figure has been much injured near the part where the right foot should be found in crossing the left, and perhaps if we were to trace the direction of the line in which the mantle would fall, between the left shoulder and the feet, we might find that several inches of it have been removed.