24 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



by-and-by. This coat of Arms is inscribed in an oval, surrounded, as 

 usual, by the Garter. (Fig. 3.) 



There is also on the staff a scroll bearing the word " Placentia" 

 which shows that it was especially made for this place, and, finally, the 

 date 1772. (Fig. 4.) 



Arms of Bailiff's Staff, 

 Placentia.— Fig. 3. 



trrx 



Scroll on Bailiff's Staff, 

 Placentia. — Fig. 4. 



Many people think that the Art of Heraldry is only an antiquated 

 fancy, not far removed from puerile folly, and that in these prosaic 

 centuries a study of those absurd mediaeval figures would be a sheer 

 waste of time. Such, however, is not really the case. Although it must 

 be admitted that in the XV. and XVI. centuries this art, like many 

 others, became very much degenerated, yet it cannot be denied that 

 Heraldry has played an important part, and exercised a powerful in- 

 fluence in moulding the history of the world. It has also been of in- 

 calculable benefit in creating and fostering a taste for the fine arts; the 

 fantastic forms of armorial bearings and devices lending themselves 

 admirably to artistic decoration. No one can pretend to any degree of 

 perfection in Art, Sculpture, Architecture, Archœology or Literature, 

 without, at least, an elementary knowledge of the curious conceits and 

 technical terminology of this quaint branch of science. Indeed it is 

 almost impossible to read with a true understanding and appreciation, 

 not only the higher class of romance and literature, such, for instance, 

 as the works of Scott, but even History itself can be but half understood 

 without the aid of Heraldry. In fact Heraldry may be called "History in 

 pictures." The explanation which I am about to give of these old Arms 

 at Placentia will show that not only the whole History of England, but 

 also a very considerable portion of that of Europe is written upon that 

 small piece of painting. 



