The Stones at Kirkmadrine. 131 



this part should be what has suffered most defacement m these 

 recent years. The (O) omega has entirely disappeared, and 

 also the T of the et (and). These are quite visible in the early 

 casts taken of these stones. Formerly, AETO now AE. 



The next noticeable feature is the circle with a Greek cross 

 inside, nearly touching with its slightly broadened limbs the 

 circumference, and having what stands for a Greek r depending 

 from the top of the upper limb. The cross will stand for the 

 Greek ch, and the cross with its r will thus be equal to the 

 monogram for our Lord's name, Christus. This cross with its 

 circle and monogram is on front and back of No. 1, and on the 

 front of stone No. 2. Beneath it on No. 1 in the front is an in- 

 scription, on the back nothing. The inscription is in six lines of 

 well cut letters, with contractions and ligatures indicative of the 

 time of their execution. Line 1 shows the ligature of n and t, 

 in iacent, so does line 5 in Viventius. In line 2 sci, Sancti. In 

 line 4 it is doubtful which is the last letter — was there one after 

 s, if so, what? t, or other. In line 6 the ligature for et occurs. 

 Authorities differ whether it is Maz^orius or Ma/orius, whether 

 ligature of a is to a or to v, AV or AI. 



The only words needing to be noted are prjecipui, sacerdotes, 

 id est. Pr£Ecipui in this connection is rare, but not unique, 

 meaning excellent in character. Sacerdotes is an example of a 

 word having different meanings at different times. About that 

 age it seems to have been used more as a synonym for episcopus 

 than for presbyter, though it can be applied to either, and in- 

 cludes both. It is general — men filling very holy offices, some- 

 times one, sometimes the other. Presbyterians need not fear 

 to allow a sacerdos of that time to be an episcopus. The conno- 

 tation of episcopus and presbyter must be learned otherwise, 

 and sacerdos must cover both. My objection to the translation 

 bishop is much the same as to the translation priest. Both are 

 too special. What is wanted is a general term inclusive of both, 

 which I cannot give, one reason being that I know not cf anv 

 such official now combining both episcopal and presbyterian 

 functions. The presbytery is the nearest such combination, but 

 I fear that " excellent presbyterate " is too modern in conception, 

 however faithful in idea, to be an acceptable translation of 

 pra^cipui sacerdotes. 



