M. Martyr. Usually dressed in the vestments belonging to his rank in the Church, with the emblem of his martyrdom in his right hand, and a palm-branch in his left.
P.P. (Pater Patrum) Pope. Triple Crown, triple Cross-staff, and Cope.
P. Priest. Vested in the mass-vestment, composed of the Chasuble, Maniple, Stole, Amess, Alb.
V. Virgin. Commonly as a young woman with flowing hair: sometimes as a Nun. (See C.)
W. Widow. An aged woman, wearing a mantle, a kerchief or veil, and wimple covering the chin, resembling the attire of a Nun.The reference to the day of the Saint's anniversary may be considered as an index not only to the various Breviaries, but to nearly all the collections of the lives of Saints that have been published. In every instance that occurs to my recollection, the legends are inserted according to the place which they occupy in the order of the year: so that the reader may refer to them without any difficulty, in case of his wishing to understand the rationale of any particular emblem.
The chief work to which reference may be made with advantage for information regarding the legends of Saints, is the Acta Sanctorum, in which they are found arranged according to the order of the year: this great work, comprised in fifty-three folio volumes, extending only to October, comprises a mass of valuable historical materials, and dissertations on numerous subjects connected with sacred antiquities. A continuation of this work is now in progress in the Netherlands. The Acta of the Saints of the Benedictine Rule, edited by Mabillon, are exceedingly valuable, and afford authentic evidences for the early history of Great Britain, which are not published elsewhere. The numerous versions of the Golden Legend, by Jacob de Voragine, are well known; the rare early edition by Wynkyn de Worde, presents many little wood-cut figures of Saints, and some of the French editions are more fully illustrated in this manner. The Nova Legenda Angliæ of John Capgrave is the most important authority as regards English Hagiography, and the Liber Festivalis may be consulted with advantage. The most curious relations, however, illustrative of the usages of the Church, of history, and of manners, are still to be found only in the MSS. preserved in our public libraries. Many compilations have been published in various countries which may be found useful; such as the
