Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/281

LEADEN FONT IN BROOKLAND CHURCH, KENT. 163 A comparison of various symbolical allusions to occupations of the months of the year, of which an interesting example has now been brought under the notice of the Institute, would present a curious subject of inquiry, in connexion, not less with the customs, than the agricultural routine of former times. These representations occur in great variety. Amongst the best examples of the Anglo-Saxon age may be cited the carefully-penned designs in the calendars, preserved in Cott. MS8., Tiberius, B. V., and Julius, A. VI. ; the former given in Strutt's " Manners and Customs," vol. i., plates x., xi., and XII. ; the latter in Mr. Henry Shaw's beautiful " Dresses and Decorations," vol. i., plates v. and vi. The subjects in this last are most delicately delineated, and their date may be assigned to the period immediately before the Conquest. The series of occupations is by no means identical with that exhibited on the Brookland font. The sculptures on the font at Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk, which ^vere illustrated by Pegge in the Archaeologia, bear a much closer resem- blance in the symbolical subjects represented, and are, indeed, nearly the same as those now exhibited from the leaden font in Kent. It will be not less interesting to compare the like series of personifications of the months, closely similar to those now given, but of a later age, preserved in the Harl. MS., 2331, and engraved by Strutt.^ These curious draw- ings are of the fifteenth century. In this series we find May portra3'^ed Mdth a falcon on his fist, as on the Brookland font, but he is not mounted, November wields an axe, his intention being indicated by an ox's head, which appears below, and December, represented on the leaden font as braining a porker, — the universal accompaniment of Christmas cheer, — appears bearing the foaming jug and covered cup, whilst the corresponding compartment on the Burnham font exhibits a convinal assemblao-e. Those readers who may be disposed to extend the com- parison of the devices of this kind, so much in vogue in the times of pur forefathers, will find much curious information in the Memoir by Pegge above cited, in the notices of the on-tlie-llill, Surrey; Chirton, Wilts; Gough mentions, but erroneously, a leaden VVareliani, Dorset ; Ciiildrey, Clewcr, font at " Walmstbrd," Northamptonshire. Wolstane, and Long Wittenhani, Berks ; The font at Wansfm-d, given by Simpson, Dorchester, Clifton, and Warborough, Ox- is of stone. A stone font at Ashover, fordshire; I'itc()ml)e, Somerset ; Edburton Derbyshire, is ornamented with leaden and Parhani, Sussex ; Great Plumstoad, figures. — Ed. Brundall, and two others in Norfolk. ^ Manners and Customs, vol. ii., pi. in.