Another piece, by the same uncommon artist, may be also worth particular notice.  It is a miscellaneous performance, divided into three compartments; having, in the upper part of the first, a representation of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Our Saviour is placed in a very singular situation, within a rock.  The comforting angel appears just above him.  Below is the Pope, in full costume, in the character of St. Peter, with a key in his left hand, and in his right a scroll; upon the latter of which is this inscription:  “Auctoritate aplica dimitto vob omia pcta"[30] The date of 1501 is below.  This picture, which is exceedingly gorgeous, is in the purest state of preservation.  Another compartment represents our Saviour and the Virgin surrounded by male and female martyrs.  One man, with his arms over his head, and a nail driven through them into his skull, is very striking:  the head being well drawn and coloured.  To the left, are the Pope, Bishops, and a Cardinal between St. Christopher and a man in armour.  One Bishop (St. Erasmus) carries a spit in his left hand, designating the instrument whereby he suffered death.  This large picture is also in a very fine state of preservation.

A third display of the graphic talents of the Elder Holbein (as I should conceive, rather than of the son, when young—­as is generally believed) claims especial notice.  This picture is a representation of the leading events in the Life of St. Paul; having, like most other performances of this period, many episodes or digressions.  It is also divided into three compartments; of which the central one, as usual, is the most elevated.  The first compartment, to the left, represents the conversion of St. Paul above, with his baptism by Ananias below.  In this baptism is represented a glory round the head of St. Paul—­such as we see round that of Christ.  Before them stands a boy, with a lighted torch and a box:  an old man is to the left, and another, with two children, to the right.  This second old man’s head is rather fine.  To the left of the baptism, a little above, is St. Paul in prison, giving a letter to a messenger.  The whole piece is, throughout, richly and warmly coloured, and in a fine state of preservation.  The central piece has, above, ["Basilica Sancti Pauli.”] Christ crowned with thorns.  The man, putting a sceptre in his hand, is most singularly and not inelegantly clothed; but one or two of the figures of the men behind, occupied in platting the crown of thorns, have a most extraordinary and original cast of countenance and of head-dress.  They appear ferocious, but almost ludicrous, from bordering upon caricature; while the leaves; and bullrush-like ornaments of their head-dress, render them very singularly striking personages.  To the right, Joseph of Arimathea is bargaining for the body of Jesus; the finger of one hand placed against the thumb of the other telling the nature of the action admirably.