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Plate XII.— ©teto from t f)t $QrtI)-'<25a£ft Single* — Carving isagain sparingly introduced; and, as in the quadrangular design, confinedto the turrets, oriels, and gargoyles. The latter are mere semblances ofspouts, introduced as characteristic ornaments: the water, instead ofbeing so discharged, as was anciently the practice, is now conveyed bypipes and drains to some distance from the foundation.

Even these details, unimportant as they may appear, have beenthought worthy of poetical commemoration, Lydgate says,

-" (Bbtni house jjcobereti foas fat'd) Ieatr,

&nh mans a prgoufe, anh mang a fjtijcous heatr,spouts thorough.”

Nor were these the only parts of ancient buildings where architecturewas indebted for aid to the sister art, sculpture. Many were profuselyembellished with historical and mythological subjects. In one of thecourts of the palace of Nonsuch, all Ovid’s Metamorphoses were cut instone under the windows.*

It was customary to mark the entrances to sheriffs’ and magistrates’houses by ornamented pillars—sometimes painted and gilt,—called“ sheriffs’ posts,” on which were pasted proclamations, and such otherpublic notices as were promulgated by those officers.

“ He set up his bills here.”— Cymbeline.

“ He says he’ll stand at your door like a sheriff's post.”— Twelfth-Night.

“ How long should I be ere I put off

To the Lord Chancellor’s tombe, or the shrive’s posts.”

Every Man out of his Humour.

* Hearne, Coll.