Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/261

 NOTICES OF ANCIENT ORNAMENTS AND APPLI- ANCES OF SACRED USE. THE FLABELLUM, FLABRUM, MUSCATORIUM, MUSCIFUGIUM, ALARA OR VENTILABRUM. ^YIwYj fahdilun, a sort of fan, formerly used from a very early period in the services of the Roman Church, originated in the less temperate climates of the east, and was introduced with the customary ornaments and requisites of sacred use into churches even in the most western parts of Christendom. It was not unknown in our own country, and it Avas very commonly used in France, during a long period, although scarcely, if ever, required to fulfil the purpose for Avhich it had originally been devised. It must be remembered that even in very early times, the frequent pilgrimages to Rome or the east from these remote countries of Em'ope caused the introduction of various usjiges and ornaments peculiarly adapted to the countries where they had their origin. The simplicity of Christian rites gradually became encumbered by the nuiltitude of external decorations and ceremonies, whereby the vital faith was dimly obscured. In later times a symbolical import was attributed to every circumstance and minute detail of form or ornament connected with the services of the Church, and objects, origi- nally hallowed, solely by their appropriation to some sacred purpose, assumed a holy character on account of the deep mysterious import assigned to them. Those who were igno- rant of their origin, as things for the most part of daily and ordinary use in prhnitive times of Christian faith, conformaljlc to the simple requh'ements of the country or the occasion, might well suppose that the vestments and ornaments of the Latin Church had been devised by divine ordinance, as were those of the Jewish dispensation. It. is remarkable to note the pious intention of our fore- fathers, even in Saxon or in Norman times, when, returning from distant pilgrimage, they sought to make demonstration of their zeal for the enrichment of all that was connected with the fabric or the ceremonies of the Church. In their desire to bestow thereon the best of their possessions, they returned