"As you don't understand Greek, my dear, it is not a matter of surprise that you have not understood this oft-recurring emblem. You must know that the Greek word for fish is ἱχθὑς [ichthys], and the letters in this word form the first letters of each word of a Greek sentence, of which this is the English translation:--'Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour;' hence the employment of this sacred symbol. Other devices are stags, hounds, antelopes, and other animals; swans, and other birds; emblems of trades, &c. Some appear ludicrous to us, though no doubt many of them were originally intended to teach some useful lesson. At Little Marlow is a fool's head, or cock's comb; at Godmersham, on several tiles is a bending old man, with a staff in his hand, and on his head a fool's cap, representing age and folly. It would seem, however, that some of these grotesque figures were manufactured for no very useful purpose, as is evidenced by the penance once inflicted on a monk of Normandy for making tiles of this description[54]. Encaustic tiles have sometimes been used for memorials of the departed[55]. In the ruins of Evesham Abbey, _under_ a stone coffin, was found a pavement of tiles, on which were initials and a cross. _Above_ a stone coffin, in the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, was found, in 1713, a pavement of similar tiles; in Gloucester Cathedral is a tile to the memory of John Hertford; and at Monmouth one to Thomas Coke and Alice his wife. These works of art are not only to be admired as the most suitable decorations for the floors of God's house; they are also interesting as specimens of art at various periods; frequently they throw light on the history of churches and religious foundations, and occasionally also of private families. I rejoice to see them again claiming the attention of modern artists and manufacturers, and finding a place once more in the churches, which on all sides are happily being restored to their former beauty and appropriateness.--But here we are at Wood's cottage." _CHAPTER XI_ THE WALLS "Peace be within thy walls." Ps. cxxii. 7. "Now view the walls: the church is compass'd round, As much for safety, as for ornament: 'Tis an enclosure, and no common ground; 'Tis God's freehold, and but our tenement. Tenants at will, and yet in tail, we be: Our children have the same right to't as we. "Remember there must be no gaps left ope, Where God hath fenced, for fear of false illusions. God will have all or none: allows no scope For sin's encroachments, or men's own intrusions. Close binding locks His Laws together fast: He that plucks out the first, pulls down the last." GEORGE HERBERT. Illustration: St. Andrew's Church, Halstead THE WALLS