Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/294

268 and elegant, that I regret much to report that its ornamental details are not easily discernible, and especially that nothing more of the Christ than the feet is now visible; the legs of St. Christopher also are hidden by some panelling. The drapery of this figure is a purplish-coloured tunic and a green cloak, and the folds of both are artistically disposed. In his hands he bears a knotted staff, which, though green, is not in that sprouting state occasionally seen; and instead of the flying birds commonly met with, here has been apparently a choir of seraphs, of which two playing upon brazen pipes, and one upon a double drum or timbrel, may still, by close inspection, be made out. On each side of the saint's head is an inscribed scroll, one from the mouth of Christ probably, and the other from the saint; but these mottoes are now illegible, except one or two words which are not referable to any of the known distichs alluding to St. Christopher. Further down, as if at a door, is a comparatively small figure of the hermit friend of St. Christopher, with a large flaxen beard, and in a yellow dress, holding forth his beacon lantern, which it is worthy of remark is here painted like an heraldic shield, quarterly argent and gules, the arms probably of the donor of the painting. I believe that the horn or glass of mediæval lanterns was sometimes coloured in this manner.

"On the left of the saint, though not relating to any legend concerning him that I can find, is a semicircularly-arched and portcullised embattled gateway, over which, at a quadrangular window in a lofty tower, seemingly of brick with stone dressings, are the figures of a king and queen. The king has a flowing grey beard, and is habited in a purplish tunic with an