A text of Scripture,-like the "In memoriam mei hoc," on the Altar in the exquisite Chapel at Luton, may be introduced by way of a border along the top or bottom of the frontal. I have heard of a beautiful Altar-cloth, which is used from Easter to Pentecost in the Church to which it belongs, and which bears upon it in gold letters, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon."

Of the monograms or emblems with which an Altar-cloth, or rather the centre of its pannels, may be enriched I need not say much. The . H. S. or . . C. with a floriated Cross, as they are the most obvious, so are they the most appropriate ornaments that can be devised, and patterns for them of infinite variety and exquisite taste may be found in some part of almost every ancient Church.—If others be wanted, the Crown of Thorns and other instruments of the Passion; the Agnus Dei; or the

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HINTS ON ECCLESIASTICAL NEEDLEWORK.

emblems of the Trinity, will, I apprehend, be found sufficient.*

* No mention has been made above of cushions for the Altar: but the use of them is very ancient. In an inventory of the effects of one of the heroes of Agincourt,-Sir John Fastolfe (Archæologia Vol. xxi. p. 277.) I read "Item, iij Pillowes stondyng on the Autre, off red felwet with flowrys enbrawderid.-Item, iiij Cosschenys of grene worstede.Item, j Cosschon of redde worstede."-In the same list there is mention of "1 Auter Clothe, with a frontell of white damaske, the Trynete in the myddys."-Where cushions are introduced, they should be embroidered in the same style as the frontal.

Of Needlework, as applied to Hangings for the Pulpit, Reading-pue, Pede-cloths, &c.

LL that has been said in the preceding chapter

AL

will of course apply equally well to certain other portions of Church-furniture, which by common consent, though without rubrical authority, are decorated with hangings, such as the pulpit, reading-pue, and the fald-stool, (in those Churches where it is to be found,) and likewise to the cushions for the books, and kneeling stools.

But, as has been already suggested, it seems desirable to preserve the greatest richness of effect for the Altar, and to keep the pulpit subordinate, both in

colour and decoration.-It is almost unnecessary to give any hints for patterns for the pulpit-cloth, because it must vary so much both in depth and width, according to the nature of the carved work on the pannels of the pulpit. Where there is only room for a narrow stripe of cloth dependent from the edge, a pattern of foliage, or geometrical tracery, or text of Scripture (such as "Evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum," "I bring you tidings of great joy,") in the ancient character, will, in addition to a deep fringe, produce a sufficiently rich appearance: but where there is scope for a greater surface of embroidery, a single oblong piece, the width of the pulpit cushion, and apron-shaped, is perhaps, the form which is most manageable both as to design, and that which hangs the best. A stiff material, unless it be strained tight, (which in this case is impossible,) can never be made to "sit" well in those parts where corners are turned.-On such an oblong

pannel as I have described, I would have a rich floriated cross in the centre, on a diapered ground; at each of the four corners should be one of the Evangelistic symbols, (you cannot do better than copy those engraved in "Pugin's examples" from the Abbot's barn at Glastonbury,) and by way of border, the Scripture, Their sound is gone out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world."

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The hangings for the reading-pue, and the litany desk, (if there be one) may, after the suggestions already given, be safely left to the reader's taste and ingenuity.

I now proceed to speak of the Pede-cloth, or carpet, for the floor of that space which is comprised within the Altar-rails, and which even where the chancel is laid throughout with encaustic tiles, should, I think, surround the Altar for a certain distance.

As this carpet is often of considerable size it is