The death-masks of Dean Swift.

THE practice of making death-masks is of considerable antiquity, dating at least from the fifteenth century. Originally it had two purposes. One was to form the head of an effigy used in the funeral ceremonies of kings, queens, princes and other distinguished persons. A life-sized wooden effigy was made which was clothed and carried on the coffin in the funeral procession, the head and hands being covered with life-like wax modelling. This was used as a substitute for the body at funeral ceremonies which might take place long after the latter had been buried. Many of these effigies are still to be seen in Westminster Abbey. Two copies of the death-mask of Oliver Cromwell are extant, one in wax and one in plaster of paris. He died on 3 September I658, and his remains were quietly buried three weeks later. Nevertheless a wax effigy in full panoply ofstate was exhibited for several months afterwards in Somerset House while the state funeral did not take place until 22 October.John Evelyn tells us: