By Mr. Edward Kite. 



247 



An old writer 1 gives the following sensible reason for their intro- 

 duction into churches in days it should be remembered, when few 

 persons could either write or read: — 



" Pictures and ornaments in churches are the lessons and the scriptures of the 

 laity. Whence Gregory : ' It is one thing to adore a picture, and another by 

 means of a picture historically to learn what should be adored. For what 

 writing supplieth to him which can read, that doth a picture supply to him 

 which is unlearned, and can only look. Because they who are uninstructed 

 thus see what they ought to follow; and things are read, though letters be 

 unknown.' 



Generally the effigies of the Holy Fathers are pourtrayed on the walls of the 

 church, or on the back panels of the altar, or on vestments, or in other various 

 places, so that we may meditate perpetually, not indiscreetly or uselessly on 

 their holiness 



Again, sometimes Paradise is painted in churches, that it may attract the 

 beholders to a following after its rewards : sometimes Hell, that it may terrify 

 them by the fear of punishment. Sometimes flowers are pourtrayed, and trees, 

 to represent the fruits of good works springing from the roots of virtues." 



Registers. — These commence ten years later than those of St. 

 John's parish. The date of the earliest entry is Nov. 6th, 1569. 



Monumental Brasses. — All that now remain are two small 

 oblong plates of brass (at present unfixed), bearing inscriptions to 

 some members of the family of Horton, who died in the seventeenth 

 century. 



Several slabs, however, from which the brasses have long disap- 

 peared, are still to be seen in the pavement of the church. One of 

 them seems to have contained the small figure of a priest, with a 

 label issuing from the mouth ; another, two figures male and female 

 (the former like that of a merchant) with an inscription beneath 

 them; and below, four children. The date probably c. 1530-40. 

 It resembles two brasses remaining in the churches of Charlton 

 (near Pewsey), and Bradford (Co. Wilts), the former to William 

 Chaucey and wife, 1524 ; the latter to Thomas Horton and wife, 

 c. 1540. 



Monuments. — These are few in number, and of very modern 

 date; with the exception of one in memory of the Hev. Henry 



1 Durandus, Bishop of Mende, a.d. 1286, in his "Rationale Divin. Offic," 

 book i., chap. 3. 



2 K 2 



