and hallowed, by religious associations, and adorned by all the graces of Art.  Even where the artistic treatment was not first-rate, was not such as the painters—­priests and poets as well as painters—­of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries would have lent to such themes,—­still if the sentiment and significance were but intelligible to those especially addressed, the purpose was accomplished, and the effect must have been good.

I have before me an example in a set of twelve prints, executed in the Netherlands, exhibiting a sort of history of the childhood of Christ, and his training under the eye of his mother.  It is entitled Jesu Christi Del Domini Salvatoris nostri Infantia, “The Infancy of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ;” and the title-page is surrounded by a border composed of musical instruments, spinning-wheels, distaffs, and other implements, of female industry, intermixed with all kinds of mason’s and carpenter’s tools.  To each print is appended a descriptive Latin verse; Latin being chosen, I suppose, because the publication was intended for distribution in different countries, and especially foreign missions, and to be explained by the priests to the people.

1.  The figure of Christ is seen in a glory surrounded by cherubim, &c.

2.  The Virgin is seated on the hill of Sion.  The Infant in her lap, with outspread arms, looks up to a choir of angels, and is singing with them.

3.  Jesus, slumbering in his cradle, is rocked by two angels, while Mary sits by, engaged in needlework.[1]

[Footnote 1:  The Latin stanza beneath, is remarkable for its elegance, and because it has been translated by Coleridge, who mentions that he found the print and the verse under it in a little inn in Germany.

  Dormi, Jesu, mater ridet,
  Quae tam dulcem somnum videt,
    Dormi, Jesu, blandule! 
  Si non dormis mater plorat,
  Inter fila cantans orat,
    Blande, veni, somnule!

  Sleep, sweet babe! my cares beguiling,
  Mother sits beside thee smiling,
    Sleep, my darling, tenderly! 
  If thou sleep not, mother mourneth,
  Singing as her wheel she turneth”
    Come, soft slumber, balmily!”]

4.  The interior of a carpenter’s shop.  Joseph is plying his work, while Joachim stands near him.  The Virgin is measuring linen, and St. Anna looks on.  Two angels are at play with the Infant Christ, who is blowing soap-bubbles.

5.  While Mary is preparing the family meal, and watching a pot which is boiling on the fire, Joseph is seen behind chopping wood:  more in front, Jesus is sweeping together the chips, and two angels are gathering them up.

6.  Mary is reeling off a skein of thread; Joseph is squaring a plank; Jesus is picking up the chips, assisted by two angels.

7.  Mary is seated at her spinning-wheel; Joseph, assisted by Jesus, is sawing through a large beam; two angels looking on.