and the East, is to retain the Bread in the Patena or Discus, 'which is placed along with it on the Cloth. (GOAR. ib.)'—Orig. 'Lit. ii. 74.

[THE CORPORAS, CHALICE-VEIL, AND MANIPLE.]

In addition to the three Cloths or Coverings already considered, and which, as we have seen, are specifically enjoined in the RUBRICS, and the 82nd CANON, there may occasionally be found employed during the administration of the Lord's Supper in certain Churches of these days, three other Cloths, called (1) The Corporas, (2) The Chalice-Veil, and (3) The Maniple. We cannot but therefore refer to their origin and application, and see what authorities there are that may be supposed to sanction their introduction in modern times.

I. The Corporas' is a fair white linen cloth placed on the 'Paten,' and upon which is laid the Bread used at the Holy Communion. It is distinguished from the Corporal' in the latter being required to be thrown over the Bread and Wine which remain after all have communicated. The use of the 'Corporas' is warmly defended by many Clergymen of the present day and their argument is built upon the fact of this Cloth being prescribed in the first LITURGY of Edward VI (A. D. 1549), and consequently is one of the Ornaments of the Church of England, as were (in use) by authority of Parliament in the 2nd year of 'the reign of King Edward VI,' ordered by the RUBRIC of our own Prayer Book.

:

The RUBRIC of the Liturgy of 1549 enjoining the use of the 'Corporas' is the last of the four, which follow the Offertory Sentences in that Book; and thus reads:

'Then shall the Minister take so much Bread and Wine, as shall suffice for the persons appointed to receive the Holy Communion, laying the Bread upon the Corporas, or else in 'the Paten, or some other comely thing prepared for that 'purpose; and putting the Wine.' &c. (1549)-KEELING 185.

'anterioris partis Corporalis ante se, et Patenam ad manum 'dextram aliquantulum subtus Corporale. (Miss. Rom. Rit. celebr. Missam. vii.)

The adoption, therefore, or rejection, of the Corporas' depends upon the degree of authority attributed to the Rubric of the First Liturgy. If the Churchwardens refuse to supply the Corporas,' the Minister cannot do so. Thence arises the question-not confined to this point alone, but extending to the Albe, the Cope, and other things of the like kind, viz:—has the Ordinary the power to compel the Churchwardens to supply every prescribed item which custom may have suffered to fall into disuse? Or, will the Court of Queen's Bench issue a mandamus to enforce these matters? We, on our own part, may inquire, whether the Ordinary would be willing to take such a step? Or, what Incumbent would be disposed to incur the risk of an expensive suit in the Courts of Westminster on a question of this nature? And further, if this should be done, would the end justify the means? It may be added in conclusion, that Corporas' and' Corporale' are sometimes convertible terms. In HARTS' Ecclesiastical Records, we find upon the authority of GAVANTI'S Thesaurus (i. 317) that, the Corporale was that ' on which the hosts were laid at the time of their consecration, (and) was always of fine linen, "though the exterior might be adorned with silk and gold. It was about 30 in. square, and was to be so folded that the borders might not appear.' (p. 233.)

3. The Chalice-Veil is not mentioned in any of the Rubrics of the Reformed Liturgies, nor in the CANONS: its design, however, is said to be to answer the purpose, of a lid or cover, to the Cup or Chalice. It is considered by some merely as a kind of second 'Corporale,' or as the Corporale divided into two portions,one to cover the Bread, the other the Cup or Chalice. The ChaliceVeil is derived from Romish use, and may be found described in GAVANTI'S Thesaurus (p. 320). HART defines it thus:

Velum Calicis, with which the Chalice was covered during a great part of the Mass, was of silk or of some other rich material, agreeing in colour with the Vestments worn by the Priest on that day. It was embroidered with gold, and had a cross worked 'upon it.' (p. 233)-Eccl. Records.

Although the introduction of such an appendage to the furniture of the Communion-Table may be defended on the plea of 'its usefulness in preventing the obtrusion of flies and other insects into the Wine,' yet it is not recognized by any authority of the Church of England, and might consequently be considered an unauthorized innovation, and subject to Episcopal prohibition. It is usually in the form of a square cambric napkin, ornamented with embroidery, and furnished with a lace border.

3. The Maniple, like the Chalice-Veil, finds no place in the RUBRICS or the CANONS of the Church of England; it is a superfluity derived from the Romish worship, where it is styled the Mundatory, or Purificatorium. This is a linen cloth about 18 in. square, simply hemmed, and with a small cross of needlework in the centre. It was used to cleanse the Chalice after the ablutions, or Post-Communion. (GAVANTI Thes. i. 319.)— HART'S Eccl. Records. (p. 234.).

The form, however, assumed in these days, is' that of the Maniple, or Manuple, of the Romish Ritual, symbolical of the office of the Sub-Deacon, and by him suspended from the left wrist. Those lately introduced into some few of our Protestant Churches are usually formed of a narrow strip of linen, about 4 ft. long, and from 6 in. to 9in. wide, variously ornamented in diaper work, and terminating with a fringe. The uses to which they are applied are, 'to wipe the lips of the Chalice after partaking, to remove any accidental spilling of the Wine, and likewise to wipe the hand after Baptizing.' But their revival amongst us calls for a similar remark to that which was made respecting the introduction of the ChaliceVeil. (see supra.)*

We will conclude our observations on this subject with one opinion.

DR. HOOK thus writes on this word-Maniple or Manuple: 'originally a narrow strip of linen suspended from the left arm of 'the Priest, and used to wipe away the perspiration from the face: " gradually it received embellishments, it was bordered by a fringe, 'and decorated with needle-work. It is not improbable that its use might be to clean the sacred vessels, as has been supposed by · some, for in the 11th century it was given to the Sub-deacons as the insignia of their order. It is distinguished from the Epigonaton 'by being worn on the left side. The Maniple is not retained in 'the Ecclesiastical Vestments of the Church of England.'-Church Dict. p. 388.

The REV. R. HART thus describes this Ornament of Roman use:The Maniple (Sudarium) was an oblong piece of embroidered silk or velvet, like a miniature Stole. It was folded double, passed over the left wrist, and hung down.'-Norfolk Archæolog. Soc. Trans. Vol. I.

There appears however to be a somewhat extensive demand both for the Maniple, and the Chalice- Veil, otherwise we should hardly see them so repeatedly advertized as they are, nor find such elaborate designs displayed in their manufacture, as a visit to Mr. Gilbert French's at Bolton, or to Messrs. Cox and Son in London, will confirm.

[COVERINGS OF THE FLOOR, &c.]

The Carpets, Pede-Cloths, and coverings of the like kind over the floor of the Chancel, and round the Communion-Table, are comparatively of modern date, and as they are devoid of Canonical and Rubrical authority, and owe their existence to the mere luxury and refinements of the age, and the will and fancy of the Incumbent, they cannot come under our notice as necessary or customary portions of Ecclesiastical or Church Furniture. Where there is any tesselated pavement of ancient date, or flooring of the Encaustic and decorated tiles of the Medieval period, a simple mat on which the Officiating Minister may stand will answer the purposes of health and comfort, rather than this ornamental work should be concealed from view: the same may be said where' Brasses' are to be met with. Coverings of this kind are desirable only in the case, which certainly ought not to exist, of a dilapidated pavement. Fabrics of various qualities and patterns are manufactured expressly for such purposes: and when these may be too expensive, Cocoa-nut, or Indian matting, particularly the former, will furnish a useful and durable substitute. It is very desirable that the aisles and passages of the Church be covered, in order to prevent the noise of the scuffling and traffic of the feet: besides which, these coverings add much to the warmth of the Church in the winter season by preventing the cold evaporations from the stone flooring. The cost of these mattings fall upon the Churchwardens. It need scarcely be added, that in these cases, as in others previously referred to, care should be taken that whatever is introduced should not obtrude any peculiar doctrinal characteristics, nor be symbolic of party views, so as to create objections, and probably call for the interference of the Ordinary.

[COMMUNION-CUSHIONS, AND DESKS.]

It is a very common practice to have two Cushions placed on the Communion-Table, on which to lay the SERVICE BOOK.' They are not enjoined by any authority, nor are they indispensably necessary. Many Clergymen, indeed, object to them. If Cushions are desired, they cannot be demanded from the Churchwardens, but must be procured at the expence of the Incumbent. These Cushions, according to the authorities quoted below, should be small and flat, and

stuffed with wool or horse-hair, not with feathers: they are generally covered with the same material as the Altar-Cloth, and may be ornamented with fringes, &c.

In some Churches an elevated Desk is preferred, which may be made of ornamental iron-work of gothic design, or of oak carved after some Ecclesiastical pattern. Those of iron stand the firmest: the dimensions of the ground-plan outline, that we have met with, appear to be about 14 in. by 8 in.; the perpendicular elevation of the back 15 in.; the perpendicular elevation of the front 3 in. whence projects a ledge to support the Book, and from which rises a retiring slope, at an incline of about 45 degrees, against which the Book reposes. The front 3 in. elevation is continued round the Desk, so as to form a kind of ornamental base.

The REV. R. HART describes the ante-Reformation Cushions thus-, The Pulvinar, or Cussinus, was the Cushion stuffed with 'wool or horse-hair (not with feathers), on which the Missal was 'laid, (Gavant. i. 319), and was usually of velvet richly em'broidered.' (p. 234.)-Eccl. Records.

The REV. W. HEWETT says:-'A small Kneeling-Desk should be provided on the north side of the Altar, so that the Officiating 'Priest may not place his Book, nor lean, upon the Holy Table; another is to be placed in front of the Sedilia; and a third in front of the Altar, whenever, that is, the "Confession" is said 'there, as it is to this day in Exeter Cathedral.' (p. 11.)-Arrangem.tof Par. Churches.

The HIERURGIA ANGLICANA enumerates the Cushion among the Furniture of Bp. Andrewes's Chapel, as well as among the inventories of the ornaments of other Chapels. (p. 8-33.).

The INSTRUMENTA ECCLESIASTICA states:-Nor again is 'there authority for placing finely-bound Books upright on the 'Altar. There ought to be during the Liturgy, one " Cushion," 'small and flat, or else a low Desk,-and upon it one Book of 'the Communion-Office.' (PLATE 58.).... The " Altar-Desk❞—in 'the present design of metal, although other materials are allow'able, and a Cushion' is sufficient-is recommended for sup'porting the Service- Book in a convenient position for the Reader, 'during the celebration of Holy Communion. Only one Book is required on the Altar, which may be taken in turn as required 'by the Assistant Clergy. The idea of this Desk' is borrowed 'from illuminations.'-(PLATE 72).

In the Tract, A FEW WORDS TO CHURCHWARDENS,' the author writes:-'I do not like to see Cushions' on the Table, as if