482 pPant T^ore, T^cge^/, arid, l^yricy, 



heroes, the Palm is represented as borne by those who suffered 

 martyrdom; and, in some instances, by those conspicuous for their 



vi(5lory over pain and temptation. In old religious paintings, 



St. Christopher (who lived in the middle of the fourth century) 

 is represented as a man of Herculean proportions, who uses, as a 

 supporting staff, an entire Palm-tree with leaves and branches. 

 The legend is, that having, when still unconverted, entreated a 

 hermit to show him Christ, the holy man admonished him that he 

 must do some good and acceptable work, and recommended him 

 to go to the banks of a deep and swollen river, and by his great 

 strength assist travellers to cross over it. Christopher readily 

 undertook the task, and went and dwelt by the side of the river. 

 Having rooted up a Palm-tree, he used it as a staff to guide and 

 support his steps, and aided all who were overcome by the stream, 

 and carried the weak on his shoulders across it. After he had 

 spent many days at this toil, he, one night, whilst lying resting in 

 his hut, heard a voice calling him from the shore. He arose and 

 looked out, but saw nothing. So he lay down again, and the same 

 thing occurred to him a second and third time. Then he took his 

 lantern and searched about the river bank, and at last discovered 

 a little child, who plaintively said to him: "Christopher, carry me 

 over this night." Thereupon the stalwart young man lifted the 

 little child on his shoulders, and grasping his Palm-staff, entered 

 the stream. As he struggled across, the waters kept rising higher 

 and higher; the waves roared, and beat against him, and the 

 winds blew. The infant on his shoulder became heavier and still 

 heavier, till Christopher felt that he must sink under the excessive 

 weight, and began to feel afraid: nevertheless, taking fresh courage, 

 and staying his tottering steps with his Palm-staff, he at length 

 reached the opposite bank. Gently placing the child down, he 

 looked at him with astonishment, and asked, "Who art thou, child, 

 that hast placed me in such extreme peril ? Had I carried the 

 whole world on my shoulders, the burthen had not been heavier." 

 Then the child replied: "Wonder not, Christopher, for thou hast 

 not only borne the world, but Him who made the world, upon thy 

 shoulders. Me wouldst thou serve in this thy work of charity; 

 and, behold, I have accepted thy service; and in testimony that I 

 have accepted thy service and thee, plant thy staff in the ground, and 

 it shall put forth leaves and fruit." Christopher did so, and the dry 

 Palm-staff flourished as a Palm-tree in the season, and was covered 

 with clusters of Dates. But the miraculous child had vanished. Then 

 Christopher fell on his face, and confessed and worshipped Christ. 



According to the legend of the death of the Virgin Mary, she 



was, one day, filled with an inexpressible longing to behold her Son 

 again, and whilst weeping, an angel suddenly appeared, and said: 

 " Hail, O Mary! I bring thee here a branch of Palm, gathered in 

 Paradise; command that it be carried before thy bier in the 

 day of thy death ; for in three days thy soul shall leave thy body, 



