56 GENERAL REMARKS. 



quent popes gave to that ceremony more eclat, and caused it to 

 be established in Spain. The name of rosary was formerly also 

 given to the vessel used in distilling rose-water. This flower has 

 also given the idea of new forms of beauty in architecture and 

 the arts. A rose is sometimes sculptured in the centre of each 

 face of a Corinthian capital. It is also frequently seen in iron 

 castings for the banisters of the stone steps of a house, and it 

 is sometimes displayed upon the pavement in front of some 

 splendid mansion. This, however, is rare in the United States, 

 although frequent in Europe. 



Among all the imitations of the Rose, none can compare with 

 those painted on glass, some of which can be found in the win- 

 dows of celebrated European Cathedrals in Canterbury, Cologne, 

 Milan, Rheims, St. Denis and others. We can scarcely imagine 

 anything more beautifully soft than these paintings on glass, as 

 seen from the interior of a church, in the rich light of a glowing 

 sun-set ; the Rose thus painted seems to possess all the freshness 

 and beauty of the real flower. 



The nave of the Cathedral of Paris, besides twenty-four large 

 windows, is lighted by three others, large and magnificent, in 

 the shape of a Rose, which are each forty feet in diameter. The 

 paintings on glass which ornament these windows were executed 

 in the 13th century, and still retain their fresh and bright colors : 

 that over the grand entrance represents the signs of the zodiac, 

 and the agricultural labors of each month. 



In heraldry, the rose frequently forms part of a shield, in full 

 bloom, with a bud in the centre, and with five points to imitate 

 thorns ; it is an emblem of beauty and of nobility acquired with 

 difficulty. 



The Golden Rose was considered so honorable a present, that 

 none but monarchs were worthy to receive it. 



In the llth century, the Pope introduced the custom of bless- 

 ing a golden Rose, which he presented to some church, or to 

 some prince or princess, as an especial mark of his favor. 



In 1096, the Pope Urban II. gave a Golden Rose to the Comte 

 d'Anjou. Alexander III. sent one to Louis, King of France, 



