1880.] on Ornament. 451 



forms of ornament to tlicir origin, wc can sec cnongli to leave no 

 doubt that if we had all tlic connecting links before ns, wc should 

 find that many of the most admirable, widely used, and cliaractcristic 

 forms of ornament originated not so nnich in any sense of beauty, as 

 in mere superstition and grossncss; and that ornaments are habitually 

 used in our churches, and public buildings, and habitations, tho 

 actual though remote origin of which, were it hinted at, would very 

 much astonish those who execute and those who admire them ; and it 

 may perhaps be accci3ted as one more illustration of the upward 

 tendency of human development, that even the very knowledge of 

 this uncomely side of the subject has fallen away from all except 

 those who have had special reason to study its history, and tliat from 

 these clods of earthiuess and superstition there has sprung this bright 

 and innocent flower of ornament. 



[H. H. S.J 



