The grotesque in church art . ow notingthat to such forms may be addedthe human figure in whole orpart, we will next take in reviewa few of the sins which brino-erring humanity into the clutchesof Satan ; for we find some ofthe most grotesque of antique carvings devoted to representa-tion of what may be called the finale of the Sinners are probably largely derived from the Mystery Plays ;for the moral teaching has the same direct soundness. Theideas are often jocosely put, but the principle is one of mereretribution. The Devil cannot hurt the Saint and he paysout to the Wicked t
The grotesque in church art . ow notingthat to such forms may be addedthe human figure in whole orpart, we will next take in reviewa few of the sins which brino-erring humanity into the clutchesof Satan ; for we find some ofthe most grotesque of antique carvings devoted to representa-tion of what may be called the finale of the Sinners are probably largely derived from the Mystery Plays ;for the moral teaching has the same direct soundness. Theideas are often jocosely put, but the principle is one of mereretribution. The Devil cannot hurt the Saint and he paysout to the Wicked the exact price of his wrong-doing. Thusin nearly all of what may be termed the Sin series there is aRecording Imp who bears a tablet or scroll, on which we areto suppose the evil commissions and omissions of the sinnerare duly entered, entitling the fiend to take possession. Thisreminds of the Egyptian Mercury, Thoth, who recorded uponhis tablets the actions of men, in order that at the Judgmentthere might be proper N^K^ THE DEVIL AND THE VICES. 8r There is a series of carvings, examplified at Ely, NewCollege, Oxford, St. Katherines (removed from near theTower to the Regents Park) and Gay ton, which have Satanencouraging or embracing two figures apparently engaged inconversation. I have placed these among the Sins, forthough no very particular explanation is forthcoming as tothe meaning of the group, it is clear that the two humanbeings are engaged in some occupation highly agreeable tothe fiend. This evidently has a connection with the monkishstory told of St. Britius. One day, while St. Martin wassaying mass, Britius, who was officiating as deacon, saw thedevil behind the altar, writing on a slip of parchment aslong as a proctors bill the sins which the congregationwere then and there committing. The people, both menand women, appear to have been doing many other thingsbesides listening to St. Martin, for the devil soon filled hisscroll on both sides. Thus far our
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