INTRODUCTION.
Perhaps there is no subject in the whole range ofEcclesiastical Antiquities so difficult to arrange and discuss in all its departments, historical, architectural, and decorative,[1] as that of Baptismal Fonts. But a less comprehensive method must be adopted, when the space allotted for the purpose, as in the present instance, is of necessity limited, and the mode of treatment therefore confined to general statements and investigations of leading principles. For it is a hopeless task to reduce to the compass of a brief Introduction the numerous bearings which any one of these heads will be found to assume, or to give a complete summary of the varied information which has already been put forth in books on a topic of such well-known antiquarian interest. It is scarcely necessary to add, that the comparatively small number of examples which our Series affords for the illustration of the following remarks, renders it impossible to represent every peculiarity in the forms and devices of Ancient Fonts. Many examples indeed have been cited, and still more have been
- ↑ The shape, consternation, and manner of support on arches, stem, or shafts, &c., are properly Architectural questions, The Decorative comprehends the sculpture and enrichment, especially emblematical design.
