It has been suggested[1] that the broad-pointed shears, which we often find, were probably the symbols of a wool-stapler, while the sharp-pointed ones, like the present example, may have been the symbol of a woman. I may mention, in correction of the first part of this idea, that in the Add. MS., 10,293, Brit. Mus., of the fourteenth cent, at f. 5, is a representation of an abbess cutting off the hair of a queen with broad-pointed shears; and they occur again at f. 261. I may mention too, regarding shears, that in the Royal MS., 16. G. 6., Brit. Mus., date 1270, scissors of the ordinary modern shape appear at f. 157, and again at f. 158; and that scissors of similar shape appear, as a symbol, on an incised cross slab, at Bilbrough, Notts. On one of the Doncaster slabs we find what appears to be the head of a staff, possibly a pilgrim's staff, though, in such case, one would expect the scrip to accompany it. A pilgrim's staff of similar form appears on a slab at Haltwhistle, Northumberland. In the MS. before mentioned (Royal, 16. G. 6) at f. 172, is a palmer whose staff is shaped with a knob at the upper end, and another knob somewhat lower down (like the handle of a whip). On another of the fragments we find what appears to be a mechanic's implement (see cut), probably the symbol of a carpenter or a mason."
Mr. Henry Shaw gave the following account of a remarkable object of sacred use, exhibited to the Meeting:—
"By the kind permission of Mr. Magniac (to whom it now belongs) I have the pleasure of sending you, for the Society's exhibition to-day, a very beautiful relic, which has proved an enigma to many learned antiquaries. It was bought by Mr. Webb at the recent sale of the choice and valuable collection of Mons. Dugué, in Paris.
"In the sale catalogue it is called a double episcopal crozier. This, however, appears to be a mistake, though a very natural one; as this specimen, if not unique, is certainly a very rare example of its particular class. On sending a tracing of it to the Rev. Dr. Rock (whose authority in such matters is entitled to the highest respect) he informs me it is not the pastoral staff of a bishop, but what is termed 'the ruler of the choir's staff,' which is thus described in his recent work,—The Church of our Fathers, as seen in Saint Osmond's rite for the Cathedral of Salisbury.—
'The ruler of the choir's staff quite differed from the true pastoral staff, both with regard to shape and emblematic signification. The 'rectores chori,' or rulers of the choir, who were few or many, according to the solemnity of the festival, but always arrayed in alb and cope, and often having the precentor at their head, directed the singing of the choir all through the many parts of the divine service—at Matins, at Mass, at Even-song. As they arose from their stools, or went down from their stalls to cluster around the large brazen eagle, upon the outstretched wings of which lay open the heavy Grail, or widely-spreading Antiphoner—from the noted and illuminated leaves of which they were chanting; or as they walked to and fro, giving out to each high canon in his turn the anthem to be sung, these rulers of the choir bore in their hand a staff, sometimes beautifully adorned and made of silver, ending, not with a crook, but a short cross-beam, which carried some enrichment, elaborately wrought and richly decorated.'
"Dr. Rock adds, in a note, 'The enamelling, the imagery, the lace-like tabernacle work, bestowed especially upon the head of the English
- ↑ In the Manual for the Study of Sepulchral Crosses, &c.
