Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/445

Rh especially those of a national character, it had become indispensable to bring within the reach of archaeologists in England the valuable researches of their learned fellow-labourers on the Continent, combined with the results of careful and extended inquiries at home. The eastern counties of England are still singularly rich in examples of this nature, of which many were liberally contributed, at the Meeting of the Institute in Norwich, from the precious collections formed by Mr. Dawson Turner. The learned author of the interesting work now before us, was also amongst those whose kindness on that occasion cannot be forgotten; we were indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Husenbeth for information and valuable suggestions, as also for contributions to the museum then formed,—of unusual interest in the illustration of Christian art.

The manual now commended to notice, commences with the converse of the list by Mr. Hart, formerly presented to the readers of the Journal: the first part comprises the catalogue of Saints, with their Emblems, the authorities being in almost every case given, demonstrating the great labour in research of which this useful little volume is the fruit. In the second part the Emblems are placed first, in alphabetical arrangement, thus affording every desired facility for reference, with the means of consulting original authorities; an advantage which will be duly appreciated by the artist. It is striking to remark how large a proportion of curious examples have been supplied from the rood-screens and painted glass, yet existing in the churches of Norfolk and Suffolk. A curious list of Patrons of Arts and Professions is appended, a subject of interest in connexion with ancient pageants as well as productions of medieval design; this is followed by a like catalogue of Patrons of Counties and Cities, and a synoptical comparison of the Roman, with the old English and the French calendars. These are chiefly given from the curious works of Von Radowitz and Dr. Alt, produced in Germany, and hitherto little known in our country.

In examining this valuable aid to the study of Christian Iconography, the inquiry is naturally suggested, to what extent may we trace any prescriptive or conventional usage, observed by ancient artists of the Latin creed, analogous to that rule of conformity to established types, which prevailed in the Greek church. As regards the latter, we possess a most curious guide in the ancient hand-book lately published by Paul Durand. The learned secretary of the "Comité historique des Arts et Monuments," M. Didron, appears to reject the notion that the artists of Europe were guided by any traditional rule; and their freedom from the constraint under which the painters of the East were held, is declared by Durandus, in the "Rationale." We are not prepared to affirm that any laws of representation, even largely modified by local usage, can be traced in our own, or other countries of Europe; but it is highly probable that certain prevalent types may be observable in early examples of Iconography, and that their classification might throw a valuable light upon the History of Art in general, as developed in these Islands. In the prosecution of every research of such a nature the comprehensive hand-book, for which we are indebted to Mr. Husenbeth, must prove of singular value and utility.