containing the seal or device of the Society, the oak-leaves, etc., as on other medals of the series. The legend is separated from the field by a circle, and reads: COMMEMORATING THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT THE PORT OF NEW YORK The reverse bears the fans of a windmill, the well-known emblem of the old Dutch town on Manhattan Island, which divides the field into four sections; in the top section is an ancient ship, its sails spread, with the Palisades at the right, and a group of Indian wigwams showing their pointed tops on the shore at the left; in the foreground is a boat with a sailor about to make a landing, or perhaps an Indian visitor returning from the “Half Moon," Hendrik Hudson's vessel. In the division at the left is a group of figures; Peter Minuit, in the costume of the period with pointed hat and small-clothes, and wearing a sword, the belt of which crosses his breast, is negotiating with an Indian chieftain in native dress and feathered coronet, for the purchase of New Amsterdam; in the background, at the right, are some of his companions, and three wigwams in the distance. In the right quadrant of the field, the familiar figure of old Peter Stuyvesant with his wooden leg, is shown marching sword in hand, leading his forces out of the gate of Fort Amsterdam; behind him is a drummer followed by the troops, one of whom bears the Dutch flag, while in the distance the ensign of Great Britain is seen floating over the fort. In the quadrant at the base we are shown a part of the American army drawn up in order, and listening to an officer in Continental uniform, who is reading to them the Declaration of Independence on the Common where now stands the City Hall. The legend is separated from the field by a circle which touches the arms of the windmill; surrounding and respectively opposite the four scenes described above are the dates of the several events commemorated; over the top, SEPT. 2, 1609 (that of the discovery); at the left, MAY 4, 1626 (that of the purchase from the Indians); on the right, SEPT. 8, 1664 (the date of the British taking possession), and at the bottom, JULY 9, 1776, when the Declaration was read to the troops of the Continental Army. These various dates are separated by four devices suggestive of the different eras commemorated, and which are quite happily selected. The first is an escallop shell, symbolizing the voyage of discovery; the second, a tulip, a pleasant hit at a well-known event in Dutch history; the third, a crown, for the English period; and the fourth, the eagle, our national emblem. The designs, both of obverse and reverse, as will be seen, are all suggestive and appropriate to the events commemorated, historical in their character, and generally well managed. Perhaps the group of females in the sketch of the obverse, shown in advance of striking, and from which our description is made, might be improved; the seated attitude given them all was very likely chosen to signify the equal rights of the various municipal 1 ities; but it would be most unfair to criticize the design, having only the rough sketch, which has been furnished us by a New York correspondent, by which to judge it, and an inspection of the medal when completed, we are very sure, will disarm all unfavorable comment. M. A MEDIEVAL MEDAL OF ST. HUBERT. It is well known that during the Middle Ages it was customary to wear medallic amulets as a protection against danger. These were frequently prepared for specific cases. Travellers about to take a long journey provided themselves with coins or medals, which often bore religious devices with an appropriate motto; the custom has been traced by some to a much earlier period than medieval days; the Romans used a small piece called the tessera hospitialis, i. e. a "token of hospitality," which was broken into two pieces, and the presentation of one piece to the holder of the other entitled its possessor, though a stranger, to protection and the privileges of a guest. In the days of Edward III, the gold nobles of that prince were specially valued by travellers exposed to danger in countries distant from their home, for they bore a Scripture text, which translated signifies, "Jesus passing through the midst of them went His way." This was a favorite talisman against thieves, as well as against other anticipated dangers; its motto is taken from St. Luke's Gospel, iv: 30. It was also worn in battle, for the same purpose. Then there are the "touch-pieces" presented to those who had been touched by the sovereign as a cure for "the King's evil." These sometimes bore the device of St. Michael overcoming the dragon, and were usually struck in gold or silver, and worn or carried to prevent the return of the trouble. The custom lasted as late as Queen Anne's time, and it is said that Dr. Johnson wore or possessed one which had been given him when a child, by the Queen. The story is told in a recent number of the Journal that it was not till the reign of George the First that the custom was discontinued; and that when the King was asked to give his royal touch to those who were suffering from the disease, he declined, wittily saying he would leave that duty to the Pretender.' Even the thief and the profligate used amulets to further their ends — to save themselves from discovery, or from the consequences of their acts. Of the former, Mercury was the patron among the Romans, and for the latter a rhinoceros was the favorite device. When Alchemy was generally practiced, many medals with occult symbols were struck, and in accordance with the old proverb " Omne ignotum pro magnifico" - meaning when liberally rendered, "Whatever is not understood is held to possess wonderful power," their mystical devices made them of I See note on "touch pieces" by Dr. Storer, in the several of this class were described. — EDS. October Journal, p. 47 of the present volume, where peculiar value to those who hoped to derive protection from the interposition in their behalf of the secret and magical influence these pieces were supposed to possess. The slaves of the medal, like the famous slave of the lamp in the wondrous tales of the Arabian Nights, were deemed to be subject to its charm, and ready to respond to the summons of the holder. There are those who hold the theory — which has already been given in the Journal- that the Contorniates, concerning the use of which there has been so much discussion among numismatists, were struck or cast for a similar end, and that, by the devices and mottoes they bore, victory might be secured to one party or another, in the games and races provided by imperial command, to amuse the populace. The medieval pieces to which this occult power was supposed to be given by a religious formula pronounced by some high ecclesiastic, usually bore as might be expected, a religious device: -the passion of our Lord, or the figure of some Saint were held to be of the highest efficacy. When the former was used, it was not unfrequently combined with the words which are said to have accompanied the vision of Constantine EN TOTTO NIKA or their Latin equivalent-In hoc signo vinces - By this sign thou shalt conquer. Combined with the devices of the Saints we often find a short petition for their intervention in an emergency, and the custom has its followers, especially in the Roman Church, until the present day. Devotional medals with a prayer for protection against pestilence are doubtless familiar to many, and a number have been described in the articles on Medical Medals, contributed to the Journal by Dr. Storer. a The use of these medals was, however, not confined to those who sought supernatural protection against danger or death; some were also worn by those who desired such assistance in their daily employments, or their amusements. It is to a piece of the latter class that I wish to call attention curious medal moulded in lead, of which an illustration is given in the last number of the Revue Belge de Numismatique (p. 229). The obverse shows Christ upon the cross, with St. John at the left; the Virgin kneeling and clasping His feet, at the base; and another draped figure (? St. Mary Magdalene) standing at the right. There is a sockel or heavy line below the group, cutting off the exergue from the field; in exergue is the date 1584. The field is surrounded by a circular line springing from the ends of the sockel, intercepted near the top on each side by the expanding terminals of the arms of the cross; the short arm at the top has no such terminal, but is crossed transversely by a diagonal band. Legend, outside the circular line, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES.. The reverse shows St. Hubert, the patron of huntsmen, kneeling; about his head is a halo, and his hands are clasped in prayer; before him at the left is the stag with the cross between his antlers, and behind him, on the right, another stag is approaching from the forest; at the top there is seen an angel holding a scroll. The legend is separated from the field as on the obverse, but the quaint medieval letters are not all legible in the engraving, and I can only decipher HVBERTVS the name of the Saint, and portions of another word or two. The medal has a loop at the top for suspension, and as engraved, is about size 28, on the American scale. There are numerous pieces in honor of St. Hubert, who dates from early in the eighth century: the chief value of that under notice depends upon its age, and the curious style in which the artist has worked up his subjects, both on obverse and reverse. The piece formerly belonged to the late Mons. Dumont, and is now in the cabinet of M. Hamal-Mouton, of Liege, and is believed to be of great rarity, and perhaps unique. The story of the Saint may be of sufficient interest to conclude this paper, which I condense from Mrs. Clement's account. St. Hubert of Liege was a nobleman fond of pleasure, who lived in Aquitaine in the days of Pepin d'Heristal. A leader in all the gayeties of the Court, he was also devoted to the sports of the chase, and cared nothing for the days which the Church set apart for a cessation from all worldly pleasures; he even hunted on those specially appointed for fasting and prayer, and the event, of which a representation appears on the medal, took place on such a day. It was in Holy Week, just before Easter, that he was following his hounds in the Forest of Ardennes, when there appeared to him a milkwhite stag, with a crucifix between his branching antlers. Hubert was astonished at the sight, repented of his sins, and became a hermit, with his cell in the wood where he had so often hunted for amusement. To the robbers and idolaters who frequented the forest, as the tradition tells us, he preached a better life, and finally became a priest, and in time the Bishop of Liege. His body is said to have been interred in that city in the Church of St. Peter, and thirteen years after his death, when his tomb was opened, his remains were found to be uncorrupted and his episcopal robes unstained. A century later the remains were transferred to the Abbey of the Benedictines in the Forest of Ardennes, and he was beatified as the patron of the chase, and chapels were erected to his honor where devout huntsmen might offer their petitions for success. Upon his intercession those afflicted with rabies placed great reliance, and the pilgrimage to the little village in Ardennes, where his bones repose, was long one of the most celebrated in Belgium, but faith in his power has ceased to have much influence. C. We suspect that the medals of St. Hubert were carried by those who "followed the hounds" rather as a safeguard against rabies, than for any such assistance to the sportsman's skill as our correspondent seems to think probable, and if so, this would place the piece among the protective medals or amulets, which he first discusses, although they may have also been used for the other purpose. - Eds. THE MEDALS, JETONS, AND TOKENS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. BY DR. HORATIO R. STORER, NEWPORT, R. I. (Continued from Vol. XXXII, p. 77.) THERE are again entries in past groups to be made, of new or undescribed medals. London, Ontario. I. CANADA. B. 2. Hospitals. 1242. Obverse. Within chased circle, bust, crowned, to left, with ear-rings and necklace; in front of it, an upright olive branch. Upon shoulder: P. W. ELLIS & CO TORONTO Beneath DIAMOND | REGISTERED | JUBILEE REGISTERED | JUBILEE Inscription, upon vine ornamented border: 1837 - VICTORIA 1897 Exergue, upon a scroll: QUEEN | AND| EMPRESS Reverse. Beneath a locomotive and tender, for crest, a shield bearing two sheaves, chevron, and beaver, and supported by a moose and bear standing upon a scroll, upon which: LABORE ET PERSEVERANTIA Under the shield, incused: P W ELLIS & CO Beneath all, crossed maple branches tied by ribbon. Inscription: VICTORIA HOSPITAL · | LONDON CANADA · Aluminum. 24. 34mm. In my collection, through Mr. R. W. McLachlan, of Montreal. Cholera, 1833. III. CENTRAL AMERICA-MEXICO. D. Epidemics. 1243. Obverse. Within an incompleted circle: | SANTO DIOS | SANTO FUERTE * | SANTO INMORTAL LIBRANOS S. (SEÑOR) DE | * TODO MAL | * A. 1833 * (O God, Holy, Mighty, Immortal, Deliver us, Lord, from All Evil.) Exergue: Two olive twigs, divided by a star. I Reverse. Within a similar circle, tipped below by two stars, a Latin cross studded with pellets. At each side of its base, an olive twig. Bronze. 24. 39mm. Edges chased. Perforated, within circle of eight stars. I have rubbings from the late Dr. J. W. Bastow, to whom I have been under repeated obligations. Yellow Fever, 1883. Port of San Blas, Territory of Tepic (Pacific Coast). A LOS ATACADOS DE FIEBRE AMARILLA EN 1883 * Reverse. Within circle, an irradiated mirror, encircled by two serpents, between crossed laurel branches. Inscription: EL MUNICIPIO DEL PUERTO DE S. BLAS | * DR FEDERICO PEDRERA * Gold. 17. 26 mm (?). Edges scalloped. I have drawings from the late Dr. Bastow. F. c. Pharmacists' Tokens. Above: BLANCO 1245. Obverse. A serpent entwining a chalice. I The above medal differs materially from the ordinary Mexican religious pieces. I have previously shown in the Journal (for July, 1889), and in The Sanitarian, that there were similar medals struck in other Catholic countries during the cholera epidemic of 1830, which reached this country in 1832, and Mexico in 1833. They were intended as a constant reminder of danger, and an ever-present prayer for heavenly protection. 2 The recipient, Dr. Pedrera, is now a resident of Merida, Yucatan. |