Crosslet Pattée. The term crosslet means a little cross, and also a cross crosslet, _i.e._ a cross with a short bar transversing each of the arms: these are even sometimes again crossed. [Illustration] Cross Pommellée (from _pomme_, an apple). Some examples of both the Latin and the Greek cross are elaborately and beautifully ornamented. It is a remark quoted on good authority, in the Magazine already referred to, that during the Middle Ages, in the Western Church a plain cross was considered as a cross of shame, and an ornamental one as a cross of glory. The simple Latin cross and St. Andrew's are most suitable for introduction into capital letters. The Greek is more generally placed at the conclusion of a text, sometimes also as an intermediate stop, or rather as a renewed dedication.[18] Two crosses are, in general, quite sufficient for the same text; one as a part of the dedication, the other as a conclusion. [18] It is irreverent to regard or to employ this sacred symbol as a _stop_. The ancient illuminators generally placed it at the commencement, and not at the close of their subject. [Sidenote: The Dove.] The Dove is the well-known symbol of the Holy Spirit. When thus employed, the head should be encircled with a Divine glory. With the olive-branch, it is the emblem of peace. The dove has also been employed to represent simplicity and purity of heart, and in ancient times was thought an emblem of the soul. The Dove resting on the cross is a modern but beautiful combination of emblems, probably originating in the following lines:-- * * * * * "Shouldst thou not need some mighty charm To win thee to thy Saviour's side, Though He hath deigned with thee to bide? The Spirit must stir the darkling deep, The dove must settle on the cross, Else we should all sin on or sleep With Christ in sight, turning our gain to loss." _Christian Year_ (4th Sunday after Easter.) [Sidenote: Triangle, Trefoils, &c.] The TRIANGLE (equilateral), trefoil, three circles, or triple triangle, are the emblems of the Holy Trinity. Of the trefoil, which is in fact the shamrock, it is said that St. Patrick, when endeavouring to explain the doctrine of the Holy Trinity in Unity to the heathen in Ireland, suddenly cast his eye on the green leaves at his feet, and plucking one of them, conveyed an idea of his meaning in this simple form. [Sidenote: Circle.] The PLAIN CIRCLE, without beginning and without end, was the early symbol of eternity; united with the cross, it typifies eternal life: enclosing a triangle, THREE IN ONE. [Sidenote: Serpents.] The serpent, with its tail in its mouth, has been justly considered an emblem of eternal punishment. The serpent, or dragon, being always the emblem of all wickedness, is to me quite unaccountably a favourite subject for illumination. It has, however, an obvious meaning, represented as flying _from_ the sacred words.