Crosses 



33 



gram. It is called the Cross of Constantine, because 

 it was used by that Emperor as a device upon his 

 shield, and upon his coins. It is found frequently 

 upon the sepulchres in the catacombs of Rome. 

 It was a symbol much used by the early Christians, 

 (this monogram was very often used in writing the 

 name of Christ), and is found even in EngHsh 

 documents so late as the year 1493 ; for, in the 

 Chronicle of the Church of S. Martin at Leicester^, 

 there is an item to the following effect : — 



* ' It' ffor beryng of the ffertur & for torches on 



Corp. Xpi (that is, Corpus Christ!) day . . ijs. vjd." 



The Greek ^ sometimes used in the present day in 

 writing abbreviations : thus Christmas is often written 

 Xmas. 



The Monogram Cross (Plate XXIV., fig. 12) is a 

 curious emblem of Christ, as King of Heaven, Leader 

 of Men, Prince of Peace, and the Light of the World. 



In using Crosses for decoration, it might be ad- 



2 Compiled by Thomas North, 1866. 



3 The Consecrated Wafer, 



D 



