[Our correspondent is right in supposing that Gesmas and Desmas are the
names traditionally assigned to the two malefactors, and which occur in
the Old Mysteries, &c. _Desmas_ is that of the Penitent Thief. These
names are, we believe, mentioned in the Pseudo-Gospel of Nicodemus; and
some particulars of the legend, we believe, but we cannot just now
ascertain, are preserved in Molan. _De Pictur. Sacris_, 1. iv. c. 9.]
_Satirical Medal._--1. I shall be glad to obtain some information
respecting a curious medal in my possession, bearing--
Obv. "Ecclesia perversa tenet faciem diaboli, 666." A face in profile,
crowned with the tiara: turned round, the same face becomes that of the
devil.
Rev. "Sapientes stulti aliquando." A head with a cardinal's cap, which
reversed becomes a face surmounted with a fool's cap and bells.
The medal is of silver, nearly the size of a crown piece; and from the form
of the letters is, I suppose, about two hundred years old.