The Dance of Death.

191

elsewhere called Formschneider^ or block-cutter, of which hehas written a memorandum en the leaf containing the firstabove-mentioned set of proofs. M. de Mechel, with greatprobability, inferred that this person was either the designeror engraver of the alphabet, as well as of the cuts to thev Historiees faces de la mort," on one of which, as already

stated, the mark JT^ ^ s placed i 2 but to whomsoever this

mark may turn out to belong, certain it is that Holbeinnever made use of it. 3 These letters measure precisely 1inch by-J of an inch, and the subjects are as follow :—

A. A group of Deaths passing through a cemeterycovered with skulls. One of them blows a trumpet, andanother plays on a tabor and pipe.

B. Two Deaths seize upon a pope, on whom a demonfastens, to prevent their dragging him along.

C. An emperor in the clutches of two Deaths, one ofwhom he resists, whilst the other pulls off his crown.

D. A king thrown to the ground and forcibly draggedaway by two Deaths.

E. Death and the cardinal.

F. An empress sitting in a chair is attacked by twoDeaths, one of whom lifts up her petticoat.

G. A queen seized by two Deaths, one of whom playson a fife.

H. A bishop led away by Death.

I. A duke with his hands clasped in despair is seizedbehind by Death in the grotesque figure of an old woman.

K. Death with a furred cap and mantle, and a flail inhis right hand, seizes the nobleman.

L. Death in the habit of a priest with a vessel of holywater takes possession of the canon.

M. Death behind a physician in his study lays his handon a urinal which he is inspecting.

N. One Death lays hold on a miser, whilst anothercarries off his money from a table.

O. Death carries off a terrified monk.

P. Combat between Death and the soldier.

See before in p. 86. 3 Zani saw this alphabet at Dresden, andascribes it likewise to Lutzenberger. See his Enciclop. Metodica, Par.L vol x. p. 467.