Mr.- Dickson on Bothbury and its Saxon Cross. 71 



his face to the east, as commented npon by Dr. Charlton, 



The sculpture may represent three principal circumstances 

 in the history of the world. 



On the north side is portrayed an animal walking quietly 

 amongst trees and foliage, and feeding upon the fruits of the 

 earth, figurative of the peaceful and happy state of things 

 before the fall of man. 



On the south side there is carved a number of nondescript 

 animals preying and feeding on each other, shewing the state 

 of wickedness after that occurrence. 



On the west side is seen the Saviour of the world, ascend- 

 ing up into heaven, and underneath, numerous heads of men 

 looking upwards in a suppliant manner. 

 . On the east side is the endless rope pattern, or the Saxon 

 knot-work, before alluded to. 



The sculpture is full of spirit in carving and design, as may 

 be seen 'in the wood cuts at the end of this article, and is 

 probably about the age Dr. Charlton represents it to be. 



I think the parts at Newcastle are the upper portion of the 

 shaft and the limbs of the cross, and that which remains at 

 Kothbury is the lower part of the shaft or pillar. 



I may add that Hutchinson in his view of Northumberland 

 notices the pedestal of this Font thus : 



" The stone is not exactly square ; at the bottom, where it 

 appears intended to be fixed into some foundation stone, 

 two opposite sides are 18 inches in breadth, the other 14 

 inches, but where the sculpture begins, the edges of the stone 

 are taken off. The work in bass-relief on the west side is 

 about 26 inches long and 14 inches broad, and I presume 

 represents our Lord sitting in Judgment. The principal figure 

 has lost its head, but holds a sword in the left hand. On each 

 side is the figure of an angel kneeling, and below them a crowd 

 of heads lifted up, their hands clasping books, others elevated, 

 or laid upon the breast. The other side contains rich orna- 

 mental sculpture of fancy figures interwoven with foliage ; 

 such as aife seen upon the obelisk in Bewcastle church yard, 

 in Cumberland. From their similarity, some people have 

 presumed they were of the same date." 



The use of Pillars of Mone may be traced to a very remote 

 period ; perhaps the oldest on record are those mentioned in 

 Holy Writ. 



" And Jacob took a stone and set it up for a Pillar.'' — 

 (xxxi. Gen. 45.) 



" And Rachael died and was buried in the way to Ephrath 

 which is Bethlehem." 



