about a third of the size, and is, as nearly as possible, a _facsimile_
of the original.

[Illustration: Facsimile of Bayeux Tapestry.]

The last group is thus described in the catalogue:--


'ET FVGA VETERVNT ANGLI.

'Et les Anglais furent mis en fuite. Des hommes à pied, armés de
haches et d'ípíes, combattent contre les cavaliers: mais _la
défaite des Anglais est complète_; ils sont poursuivis à toute
outrance par les Normands vainqueurs.

'La scéne suivante reprísentent des hérauts d'armes à pied, et des
cavaliers galoppant à toute bride pour annoncer probablement le
succés du Conquérant; mais l'interruption subite du monument ne
permet plus de continuer cette chronique figuríe, qui allait
vraisemblablement jusqu'au couronnement de Guillaume.

The _design_ of the tapestry is very unequal, some of the latter scenes
being weak in comparison, especially that of the _death of Harold_; the
eleventh-century artist, perhaps becoming tired of the work, or having,
more probably, a presentiment that this scene would be painted and
exhibited annually, by English artists, to the end of time. Perhaps the
most interesting and important scenes are:--first, when Harold takes the
oath of allegiance to William, with his hands leaning on two ark-like
shrines, full of the relics plundered from churches; next, the awful
catastrophe of the _malfosse_, where men and horses, Norman and Saxon,