Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/479

 TCONOGRAPHIE CHRKTIENNE, &C. 353 without the aid of ilhistrations, onlj' an imperfect notion can be obtained from the description contained in this volume. ICONOGRAPIIIE ClIRETIENNE OU ETUDE DES SCULPTURES, PeINTURES, &C., qu'on rencontre sur les monuments religieux du Moyen Age. Par M. I'Abbe Crosnier, (extrait du Bulletin monumental public par M. De Caumont,) Paris, Derache, 8vo. 344 pages, with numerous wood- cuts, 6s. Tins is a useful summary of an interesting subject to which too little attention has at present been paid in England. The few works which we have had on symbolism have been calculated rather to deter people from the study than to encourage it, and are after all only slightly connected with iconography, or the history and description of images, whether in sculpture or painting, and an attempt to illustrate their meaning. This is a legitimate subject for enquiry and study, on which we shall be glad to see more attention bestowed, and in which our neighbours have quite taken the lead of us. It is gratifying to observe the rapid progress which all branches of archaeology have made of late years in France, and are still making, notwithstanding the obstruction of revolutionary times. Archaeology is there especially fostered and encouraged by the bishops and higher orders of the clergy, and the younger clergy are directed to pursue it as a regular branch of study ; it is even introduced into Church seminaries as part of the course of education. The author of the present manual has been largely indebted to the elaborate work of jM. Didron, and acknowledges his obligations to him and others. The woodcuts have chiefly appeared before in De Caumont's Bulletin Monu- mental, as is also acknowledged ; they are roughly executed, but give a sufficient idea of the objects represented. The work itself appears to be carefully compiled and well arranged, and is followed by a voca- bulary which adds considerably to its utility. As a strong prejudice exists in England against the study of iconography from its connection with the use of images, and a supposed tendency to lead insensibly to a more favourable view of that practice than is consistent with the principles of the English Church, it may be well to state that, although the author of this work is an Abbe, it contains nothing that need offend the most scrupulous reader. Images are treated merely as such, historically and scientifically, not in anv degree as themselves objects of worship, or even of particular reverence, and their history is written with strict impartiality, nothing being stated without historical evidence. For instance, on the im- portant subject of the crucifix, the author distinctly states, that prior to tlie fifth century no attempt was ventured on to represent the Saviour on the cross, that prior to the eighth century such attempts were very rare excep-