Fig. 423. The Leschê at Delphi.
Leschê, Gr. (λέσχη, i. e. a place for talking). A public place of assembly and conversation, or a small exchange for transacting business, &c. The leschê of Delphi (Fig. [423]) was celebrated for the painting which it contained by Polygnotus (470 B.C.). At Athens there were 360 leschai, small buildings or porticoes furnished with seats and exposed to the sun, where the poor could rest in warmth and shelter.
Lesina, It. An awl. The device of the Lesina Academy, with the motto, “L’assotigliar la più, meglio anche fora.”
Lettern, Arch. The Lectern of a church is often so called, when made of Latten or brass. The word is used instead of Latten.
Letters of the Alphabet are sometimes used as charges in heraldry. The practice of weaving letters into the ornamentation of textile fabrics is very ancient in the East. Pliny says, “Parthi literas vestibus intexunt.” Fanciful designs imitating or copying oriental letters without meaning were worked in church textiles in early Christian times; and the artists of Italy up to the middle of the 16th century represented such devices on the hems of the garments of great personages in their paintings.
Leucite (λευκὸς, white). White spar, or white garnet; a white stony substance found among volcanic productions.
Leucomb, O. E. A dormer window.
Leucopyrite. A mineral used in the production of artificial orpiment.
Levacion, O. E. The elevation of the host in the mass.