2 INSCRIPTION ON THE FONT AT CHELMORTON. 



of the British Coins, of which he gives representations, he says: 

 " The thirteenth, an Octogone, seems to have been of a Christian 

 Prince ; for by it the Christians anciently figured the Font for 

 baptism. In Gruter's inscriptions, p. 1166, are verses of St. 

 Ambrose, upon the Font of St. Tecla (Thecla), 



' Octogonus fons est munere dignus eo. 

 Hoc numero decuit sacri baptismatis aulam 

 Surgere, quo populo vera salus rediit ; ' i.e. 



The font is an Octogon, a figure (or number) worthy of that 

 function. It behoved the place (or court) of holy baptism to be 

 raised in this number; by which true salvation is restored to the 

 people. And it is a common observation that as six was the 

 number of Antichrist, so eight of true Christianity." * So far, 

 venerable Camden. It is very remarkable how great attention 

 was paid in the olden time to the number eight. The first 

 Parliament of Edward the First was holden on the morrow of 

 the utas of Easter; on which Lord Coke remarks: "It is 

 called utas of huit, which signifies eight, viz. the eighth day 

 after, including Easter Day for one." "And the number of eight 

 was much , respected in the ancient laws, as amongst the laws 

 of King Edward the Confessor, Pax Regis die qua coronatus 

 est, quae dies tenet octo, in die nataii Domini dies octo, in 

 Paschate dies octo, in Pentscoste dies octo, &c." t Ambrose 

 was born in a.d. 340, and died in 397, long before Edward 

 the Confessor's time ; and no doubt the respect paid to the 

 number eight in his time was due to the same cause as in 

 St. Ambrose's time. 



On the whole, it is clear that the octagonal form of a font 

 is an emblem of the true faith. 



We were very much puzzled for some time as to what a 

 circle might denote, when a very remarkable book by Bishop 

 Thornburgh was lent to us, and in the preface the Bishop 

 informs us that the pious philosophers of old designated the 

 blessed Trinity by the circle. His words are : " Addiscamus 

 hinc omnes potentiam, majestatem et bonitatem Dei demirari, 



* Camd. Br., XCII. t 2 Institute, 157. 



