CARVED STONE at DYKE, T AND TIARAS of different NATIONS. HE ornament at the top of the obelisk reprefented in the plate of the former Number, and here made the central figure at top, is one of the most elegant of these trophies, that occupy the more diftinguished departments of these monuments. When these are compared together, they have no fuch general resemblance as would characterise them to be of one and the fame import; yet they apparently have fuch diftinguishing features as may enable those who perufe them with attention, and are a little acquainted with the ftile in which even familiar objects are represented, in the ancient sculptures and drawings of rude ages, to trace their origin and reference, and the archetypes from whence they are derived. In this plate are therefore given two concomitant rows of figures, between which there is fuch evident uniformity and 'correfpondence in defign, as would be very unaccountable, if the one fet had not, by fome means or other, been derived as copies or imitations of the former. The row termed CALEDONIAN is copied from thofe carved monuments, in the North of Scotland, now under confideration. The other row, termed CONTINENTAL, which are compofed of lines of fuch correfponding form, are fimilar sketches taken from authentic reprefentations of the bonnets, tiaras, or crowns of Emperors, &c. as figured on carved monuments, glafs paintings, and in the drawings. on manuscripts, done on the Continent at feveral periods, from the eighth to the twelfth centuries, confequently rather previous to the æras of the sculptures under review. I. II. and V. are crowns of Charlemagne, and other nearly cotemporary Emperors. N° III. is on the figure that terminates the ancient fceptre of France; and IV. is on the feal of Lotharius the King. Both rows, copied in rude conformity to the drawings of the originals, exhibit fomething of the progress of taste.-The original tiara of princes was a very simple circle, its ornanaments unoftentatious. As arts improved, and the taste of grandeur refined, they enriched the diadem with precious ftones, amidst ornamental foliage and flowers. 9 The The Caledonian Chief, who was wont to deck his bonnet with a feather, and a ribbon-flower, would be fond of these additional marks of diftinction, conferred by ornaments of fuperior workmanship and defign; and with no lefs ambition would thofe emblems of honour be imitated on their monumental ftones. A and B are on ftones in the county of Mar, near to the Hill of Benachie; C and D, near to Golfpie in Sutherland; E, on the beautiful and entire obelisk near to Sandwick Castle, on the coaft of Rossfire. It is remarkable, that the farther North, the richer and more elaborate are the embellishments of thefe obelifks: but that only becomes a confideration of any importance, as it ferves to elucidate the probability of the account given by Torpheus *, that the expeditions from the Continent were the channel by which a knowledge of the finer arts, and of Christianity, firft fpread the comfort of their light over the North of Scotland; and confequently gives additional validity to the positions laid down in these strictures, concerning several of the hieroglyphics and symbols that are chosen as the diftinguishing ornaments of the carved monuments exhibited, viz. that they derived their origin from the illuminations of Miffals, and other manufcript books, brought from the Continent in the eleventh and twelfth centuries t. Of the elephant-like figure which appears in the middle of the stone, of which a representation is given in the plate, enough has been already narrated; and of the fo elaborate embellishment, which is carved over it, no conjecture is offered. The connected shields and fceptres, as they are variously exhibited on other monuments, will afford fubject of future difquifition. This ftone is in the highest preservation, having lain on its face in fand from time immemorial. It is at present in the churchyard of Dyke, near to Forres, in Moray. The reverse of it is a richly-ornamented cross: it has evidently therefore been raised in the obelisk stile, and is but the upper half broken off. • Antiquities and Scenery of Scotland, page 142, 143. + Ibid. 123. |