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AND WAYSIDE CROSSES. 313 j)rivileges. Another rude stone in tliis vicinity has a sword engraved deeply upon it, with tlic point downwards, also re- presenting in form a Latin cross. These, in all probability, are monuments of Saxon triumph. We have now seen the use of these crosses in the confir- mation they afibrd to history ; let me, in conclusion, allude to their original use, and the object of their erection. In " Dives ct pauper," a Avorke emprynted by Wynken de AVordc, in 1490, there is the following quaint assertion : " For thys reason ben crosses by y*" waye, than whan folke passynge see the croysses, they shoulde thynke on Hym that deyed on y** croysse, and worshipi)e Ilyni above al thyng." This may have been the reason in de Worde's time, and perhaps was partly so, even in the early days when these crosses were erected ; but the alleged reason in the old writers, and object of wayside crosses was, to " guide and guard the way to the church." With respect to the former of these objects, I can attest that very many of these crosses evidently still answer this purpose, to which they were originally appointed. In several parishes there are " church paths" still kept up by the parish, along which crosses, or bases of crosses, yet remain, and generally it will be found that they point toward the church. Where the path has been, as in most cases, oblite- rated and lost, the crosses in some instances still remain, not facing the west according to the invariable rule regarding church crosses, but pointing and guiding in the direction of the church. As to the allegation that they guard the tcajj to the church," there can be little doubt that in those early, and it may be " superstitious" tunes, such was regarded to be the efficacy of the holy sign. With these remarks I will conclude this paper, hoping that I have not turned the thoughts of my readers unprofitably to the interesting subject of the early history of Christianity in our land ; and if this memoir should, however im worthily, produce further notices of primitive Christian antiquities, I shall be greatly rcAvarded. Such visible and tangible evi- dences at this time will avail much, and cause the history of the ages to which they belong to be realized and practically believed. W. HA SLAM.