MURAL PAINTING, 393 



described in vol. xy of this journal, though the beast in the 

 second panel upwards appears to have a bird's head rather than 

 a dog's. The chronological order of events in the legend requires 

 us to descend on the left and ascend on the right, for the scene 

 of the iron chair preceded that of the shooting. The inter- 

 mediate panel representing Christopher as one of the cynocephali 

 (if this is what it does represent) seems out of place, unless we 

 conclude that the saint having been elsewhere represented as 

 entirely human in shape (in contradiction to the legend) the artist 

 took this opportunity of reminding us of the story. When the 

 iron chair had given way, Christopher started up and prayed, 

 and his face was full of a glorious light. This so alarmed the 

 king that he fell from his throne and lay a long time on the 

 ground. Then arising he addressed some abusive remarks to 

 Christopher, and calling him an " evil beast " (fera mala) 

 ordered him to be shot. This expression perhaps gave the 

 artist his opportunity. We think, too, this ascent on the right 

 gives us the explanation of the top panel, in which could till 

 recently be seen a small figure seated and a tall one standing by 

 him. Probably this represented Christopher telling Dagon how 

 to cure his wounded eye by making clay with the saint's blood, 

 which he prophesied he should shed upon the morrow. 



On the rocks to the left of the centre panel note the head of 

 a dog (much like a modern pointer, outlined in gray and shaded 

 yellow), and the bird (similarly coloured) swallowing a fish (red). 

 On the rocks on the other side note the rabbits and fishing reel, 

 and in front of the rabbits the hermit holding the lanthorn (red) 

 wherewith he lighted the saint across the water. 



The figure of the hermit is now almost faded away, but the 

 form of it can be distinctly traced. 



The greater part of the original picture is red of various 

 shades, a good deal of the background is yellow, and some of 

 the outlines are slate colour. 



It will be seen that the picture was formerly of greater 

 height than it now is. It has been much damaged by having 

 had a monument fixed over it. 



We cannot too warmly thank Mr. Eollason for the valuable 

 aid afforded. His task was a laborious one that none but an 



