the heavenly Jerusalem--where the centre was frequently called "Ciel."

Common as these mazes were upon the Continent, it is probable that no
example is to be found in any English church; at least I am not aware of
the existence of any. But almost every county has, or has had, its
specimens of mazes cut in the turf. Though these are frequently known as
"miz-mazes" or "mize-mazes," it is not uncommon to find them locally
called "Troy-towns," "shepherds' races," or "Julian's Bowers"--names
that are misleading, as suggesting a false origin. From the facts alone
that many of these English turf mazes are clearly copied from those in
the Continental churches, and practically all are found close to some
ecclesiastical building or near the site of an ancient one, we may
regard it as certain that they were of church origin and not invented by
the shepherds or other rustics. And curiously enough, these turf mazes
are apparently unknown on the Continent. They are distinctly mentioned
by Shakespeare:--

"The nine men's morris is filled up with mud,
And the quaint mazes in the wanton green
For lack of tread are undistinguishable."

_A Midsummer Night's Dream_, ii. 1.



"My old bones ache: here's a maze trod indeed,
Through forth-rights and meanders!"

_The Tempest_, iii. 3.