their vessels cleave the water speedily,
making the passage, usually a day and a half's sailing, in an hour.
When the British shore is reached the souls of the dead leave the
boats, which at once rise in the sea as if unloaded. Then a loud voice
on shore is heard calling out the name and style of those who have
disembarked.

Procopius had, of course, heard the old Celtic myth of an oversea
Elysium, and had added to it some distorted reminiscence of the old
Roman wall which divided Britain. The 'ship of souls' is evidently a
feature of Celtic as well as of Latin and Greek belief.

_Calvaries_

Calvaries, or representations of the passion on the Cross, are most
frequently encountered in Brittany, so much so, indeed, that it has
been called 'the Land of the Calvaries.' Over the length and breadth
of the country they are to be met at almost every turn, some of them
no more than rude, simple crosses originating in local workshops, and
others truly magnificent in carving and detail. Some of the most
famous are those situated at Plougastel, Saint-Thegonnec, and
Guimiliau.

The Calvary of Plougastel dates from the early sixteenth century, and
consists of an arcade beneath a platform filled with statues. The
surrounding frieze has carvings in bas-relief representing incidents
in the life of Christ. The Calvary of Saint-Thegonnec represents
vividly the phases of the passion, being really a 'way of the Cross'
in sculpture. It bears the unmistakable stamp of the sixteenth
century. The Calvary of Guimiliau is dated 1580 and 1588. A platform
supported by arches bears the three crosses, the four evangelists, and
other figures connected with the principal incidents in the life and
passion of our Lord. The principal figures, that of Christ and those
of the attending Blessed Virgin and St John, are most beautifully and
sympathetically portrayed. The figures in the representations from the
life of Christ, which are from necessity much smaller than those of
the Crucifixion, are dressed in the costume of the sixteenth century.
The entire Calvary is sculptured in Kersanton stone.

[Illustration: THE SOULS OF THE DEAD]

Whether these and other similar groups are really works of art is
perhaps a matter for discussion, but regarding their impressiveness
there cannot be two opinions. By the bulk of the people they are
held in great reverence, and rarely are they unattended by tiny
congregations of two or three, while on the occasion of