174 



Flowers and Festivals 



time, as it is nearer the octave ; although the ancient 

 custom was, as Herrick shows, to take all down at 

 Candlemas, that the spaces might be ready for the 

 decorations which were to follow — and which did 

 follow, all the year round, both in Churches and 

 houses. Of this we have sufficient proof in the verses 

 above quoted ; and which we may take as an argument, 

 if argument is needed, for the constant repetition of 

 floral decorations in Churches. 



There is another help to decoration which has 

 not been mentioned in the foregoing pages, and 

 which, if it can be done, will contribute in no small 

 degree towards a more effective style of decoration 

 than can be obtained by flowers alone — and that is, 

 the introduction of various coloured banners, blazoned 

 with the arms of the Diocese, or the emblem of the 

 Patron Saint, also a practice of ancient origin. 



Among the various ornaments with which the 

 Church was decorated, after the establishment of the 

 Church in the time of Constantine, may be reckoned 



