The grotesque in church art . ering in a much to be envied height of thewildest animal spirits. There is in popular art no trace, sofar as the writers observation extends, of that lofty sorrow atmans unworthiness, which has occasionally been attributed toSatan. The general feeling is that indicated by the semi-contemptuous epithets applied to the satyr-idea of AuldClootie (cloven-footed), and Auld 1 Iornie, of our Northernbrethren. SATANIC REPRESENTATIONS. 7i Horns were among all ancient nations symbolic of powerand dignity. Ancient coinages shew the heads of kings anddeities thus adorned. The
The grotesque in church art . ering in a much to be envied height of thewildest animal spirits. There is in popular art no trace, sofar as the writers observation extends, of that lofty sorrow atmans unworthiness, which has occasionally been attributed toSatan. The general feeling is that indicated by the semi-contemptuous epithets applied to the satyr-idea of AuldClootie (cloven-footed), and Auld 1 Iornie, of our Northernbrethren. SATANIC REPRESENTATIONS. 7i Horns were among all ancient nations symbolic of powerand dignity. Ancient coinages shew the heads of kings anddeities thus adorned. The Goths wore horns. Alexanderfrequently wore an actual horn to indicate his presumption ofdivine descent. The head dress of priests was horned onthis account. This may point to a pre-historic period whenthe horned animals were not so much of a prey as we findthem in later days ; thus the aurochs of Western Europeappears to have been more dreaded by the wild men of itstime, than has been, say, the now fast-disappearing bison by. A MAN-GOAT, ALL SOULS, OXFORD. the North American Indians. On the other hand, themarvellous continuitv of natures designs lead us to recognizethat the carnivorous animals must always have had the rightto be the symbols of physical power. Therefore, the idea ofpower, originally conveyed by the horns, is that carried by thepossession of riches in the shape of flocks and herds. Thepecunia were the means of power, and their horns the symbolof it. With the Egyptians, the ox signified agriculture andsubsistence. Pharaoh saw the kine coming out of the Nilebecause the fertility of Egypt depends upon that river. Sothat it is easy to see how the ox became the figure of the sun, 72 THE GROTESQUE IN CHURCH ART. and of life. Similar significance attached to the sheep, thegoat, and the ram. Horus is met as Orus, the wore the horns of a ram. Mendes was worshippedas a goat. The goat characteristics are well carved on a seat in AllSouls. A eoat fiorure of t
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