INSCRIPTION ON THE FONT AT CHSLMORTON. 13 



and sciuare-cut out of the solid. The main division in each 

 contains a very beautiful Norman arch, and each of the lower 

 divisions is tilled with a representative head in the centre, 

 surrounded by a floral design in one case, and foliage in 

 another. On the frame-work round the top is cut, " Crie 

 aloud, spare not, lift up the voyce, lyke " * * * If we mistake 

 not, many pulpits are octagonal ; and a more appropriate 

 emblem could not adorn the place from which the true faith 

 was to be delivered, than the octagon. 



In the course of our researches we have met with so many 

 arches on fonts, that it has occurred to us whether they may 

 not also have some symbolical meaning. We have seen that 

 the emblematical hand issued from the rainbow, and the Charter 

 of Cuthwolf, Bishop of Hereford, a.d. 840, begins, " In nomine 

 arci poli conditoris," " In the name of the Creator of the arch 

 of Heaven," or "rainbow of Heaven."* These things tend 

 to show that an arch on a font may be the emblem of the 

 rainbow or of the arch of the heavens. The matter deserves 

 further consideration. 



In considering such questions, it must be borne in mind 

 that in the early times of the Church all sorts of symbols and 

 emblems were adopted, and the more far-fetched and difficult 

 of interpretation they were, the higher appreciation they seem 

 to have obtained ; for their object was to be intelligible to the 

 initiated, and enveloped in mystery to everyone else. 



We have now done. We crave every indulgence from those 

 who are more learned in the history of our ancient Church 

 than ourselves, and every correction will be pleasing. If some 

 greater interest should be excited m our ancient fonts, and 

 greater respect paid to them in consequence of what we have 

 written, and the sacrilegious usage, to which they have but too 

 frequently been subjected, be checked thereby, we shall indeed 

 be gratified. 

 . N.B. — On the reading of this paper, it was asked why, if the 



* A fac-simile of this remarkable Saxon Charter is given in the Archaological 

 Journal. 



