o preserve the position invariably displayed in figures
of the Crucifixion. Those who so portray it fail in what should be their
most awful and agonizing effect. Think for one moment, and imagine, if
you can, what would be the attitude of a man, living or dead, under this
frightful torture."

"You startle me," returned the great surgeon, "not only by the truth of
your remarks, but by their obviousness. It is strange indeed that such a
matter should have so long been overlooked. The more I think upon it the
more the bare idea of actual crucifixion seems to horrify me, though
heaven knows I am accustomed enough to scenes of suffering. How would
you represent such a terrible agony?"

"Indeed I cannot tell," replied the sculptor; "to guess would be almost
vain. The fearful strain upon the muscles, their utter helplessness and
inactivity, the frightful swellings, the effect of weight upon the
racked and tortured sinews, appal me too much even for speculation."

"But this," replied the surgeon, "one might think a matter of
importance, not only to art, but, higher still, to religion itself."

"Maybe so," returned the sculptor. "But perhaps the appeal to the senses
through a true representation might be too horrible for either the one
or the other."

"Still," persisted the surgeon, "I should like--say for
curiosity--though I am weak enough to believe even in my own motive as a
higher one--to ascertain the effect from actual observation."

"So should I, could it be done, and of course without pain to the
object, which, as a condition, seems to present at the outset an
impossibility."

"Perhaps not," mused the anatomist; "I think I have a notion. Stay--we
may contrive this matter. I will tell you my plan, and it will be
strange indeed if we two cannot manage to carry it out."

The discourse here, owing to the rapt attention of both speakers,
assumed a low and earnest tone, but had perhaps better be narrated by a
relation of the events to which it gave rise. Suffice it to say that the
Sovereign was more than once mentioned during its progress, and in a
manner which plainly told that the two speakers each possessed
sufficient influence to obtain the assistance of royalty, and that such
assistance would be required in their scheme.

The shades of evening deepened while the two were still conversing. And
leaving this scene, let us cast one hurried glimpse at another taking
place contemporaneously.

Between Pimlico and Che