Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/272

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Devon Notes and Queries. 195 of a fifth figure on the left has scaled off. (S. Mat. xxvi, 67-68.) (11.) Ckrist before Pilate. — Our Lord stands between two guards accompanied by a third man in a long robe and high pointed hat, probably intended for a priest ; Pilate is seated and wears on his head something very like a mitre. (S. Mat. xxvii, 11-18.) (12.) The Scourging with Rods, — Christ is seen stripped and fastened to the pillar between two men, each with a bundle of rods. (S. Mat. xxvii, 26.) (13.) Plaiting tJie Crown of Thortis and the putting on of the Scarlet Robe, — Christ is seated between two guards, who appear to be plaiting long strands of thorny branches upon His head. (S. Mat. xxvii, 27-29.) (14.) Harding sees in this Judas casting down the forty pieces of silver in the temple, but this theory breaks the series and supposes that here only the figure of Christ is not portrayed. It is more likely that the group illustrates S. Mat. xxvii, 31 : " After they had mocked Him, they took the robe from off Him and led Him away to crucify Him." (15.) Christ bearing the Cross. — This probably represents Christ falling beneath the cross and goaded by a boy and a soldier ; but, as Harding suggests, the central figure may be that of Simon of Cyrene. (S. Mat. xxvii, 32.) (16.) The Crucifixion, — The figure of Christ is dis- proportionately enlarged, and is not so well modelled as most in the series. The minor figures are very worn ; on the right are two female figures kneeling and two men standing ; on the left two or three standing figures. (S. Mat. xxvii, 35.) (17.) The taking down from the Cross, — Three men have seemingly just pulled out the nails, while the fourth meets the falling body of Christ. (S. Mat. xxvii, 59.) (18.) The Entombment, — The body of Christ about to be laid in an open grave by Joseph, who is at the foot, and three women who are behind. (S. Mat. xxvii, 59-60.) (19.) The harrowing of Hell, — A striking and successful treatment of the subject, considering the exigencies of space. Hell is shown as the head of a great monster, with glaring eyes and open, wrinkled mouth, thick set with teeth ; within it stand two souls, towards whom Christ advances