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HISTORY OF CAWTHORNE.

communicant's kneeling stools in the place of any "altar rails " such as began to be used after the Puritans' destruction of chancel-screens. There are altogether four steps up to the altar, the whole sacrarium being paved with black and white marble, laid partly square and partly diagonal. There are three seats in the Sedilia—from Latin sedes, a seat—on the south side, with a credence or shelf on which the elements to be used in the Holy Eucharist are first placed (from Italian credenzare, to test by tasting beforehand) On the usual green Altar Frontal is an embroidered decorated cross, and on the super-frontal the emblematic passion-flowers three times repeated on each side of the centre "I H S," the work of the late Mrs. Stanhope, having been transferred from the red velvet altar frontal offered in the former Church on Easter Day (March 31), 1872. The brass Altar-desk was a special thank-offering from some members of the congregation for Mrs. Stanhope's recovery in 1878. The alabaster Reredos, executed by Messrs. Farmer and Brindley from the architects' designs, is beautifully sculptured in five divisions, the centre being a relief figure of the Crucifixion with St. Mary and St. John, while the two divisions on each side have each an angel holding instruments of the Redeemer's Passion, those on the north side bearing respectively the seamless robe and dice to cast lots with, and the other the spear and sponge and three nails, those on the south side the scourges and the cords and Judas' burse or bag. Gold and coloured diaper work in the background bring out the relief.

The East window is a fine specimen of rich flowing tracery with five lights, each containing an upper and lower row of figures, the tracery being filled with foliage ornament, except the highest division which has the cross with hammer and nails. The shafts of the internal arch rise from the floor, giving an effect of height and forming a recess for the reredos. In the upper part of the centre light is represented our Lord in glory with the Latin words "Tu es Rex Gloriæ, Christe" ("Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ"), while the side lights have on the south side St. Peter (Sanctus Petrus) with open book and keys, and St. Paul (Sanctus Paulus) with closed book and sword; on the north side are the Blessed Virgin (Sancta Maria, Saint Mary), and St. John the Baptist (Scs. Johanes Bapta) with a lamb.