On this altar was placed a large statue of silver, that, backed as it was by the black rock, seemed to concentrate and reflect from its burnished surface the intense light of the two blazing pillars.
It was a lovely thing, but to describe it is hard indeed.

The figure, which was winged, represented a draped woman of mature years, and pure but gracious form, half hidden by the forward-bending wings.

Sheltered by these, yet shown between them, appeared the image of a male child, clasped to its bearer's breast with her left arm, while the right was raised toward the sky.

A study of Motherhood, evidently, but how shall I write of all that was conveyed by those graven faces?
To begin with the child.

It was that of a sturdy boy, full of health and the joy of life.