Of the cope it is needless to say more than that it is properly processional, though recognised in the English Church (as in the Armenian) for celebration, and for the clergy in the choir on high festivals. It may be added that the English vestments differ sufficiently from those of foreign Churches to have a national character. It thus appears that the Eucharistic vestments, and even our ordinary ones through them, are a link of a marvellously interesting kind between us and antiquity, even Apostolic antiquity; and between us and the whole Christian world. Nay, our vestments, like our Services, connect us with the old Mosaic Ordinances. They ought to be grave reasons indeed, which should induce us to raze them from our statute-book, whatever became of the question of their restoration to general use. Of other usages now under debate, I would mention briefly--1. The position of the celebrant during the office; 2. The two lights on the altar; 3. Incense; 4. The mixed chalice; 5. The crucifix. 1. There is no real doubt whatever as to the intention of the English Church about the position of the celebrant in administering the Holy Communion. In order to make the matter plain, it is to be observed, that the slab or surface of the Altar, or Holy Table--there is a wonderful _equableness_ in the use of the two terms by antiquity[45]--was always conceived of as divided into _three_ portions of about equal size. The central one, called the _media pars_, was exclusively used for actual celebration, and often had a slab of stone[46] let into it, called _mensa consecratoria_. The other portions were called the _latus sinistrum_ and _dextrum_, or _Septentrionale et Australe_.[47] These would be in English the "midst of the Altar," the "left or north side," and the "right or south side:" the term "side" being used with reference to the "middle portion." The most solemn parts of the rite, then, were performed "_at_ the middle" of the Table; the subordinate parts "_at_ the northern or southern portions." In all cases, "at" certainly meant with the face turned _eastwards_. Now, in the First Book of Edward VI., it was ordered that the very beginning of the Service should be said "afore the _midst_ of the altar;" _i.e._ before the "media pars." As to the rest of the Service, it was doubtless to be said in the ancient customary places: the old rule being, that all after the preparatory prayer to the end of the Epistle was said at the _south_ side. In the Second Book the order was, "the Priest standing _at_ the _North-side_ of the Table shall say the Lord's Prayer," &c. This could not possibly, in those days, be understood to mean anything else than _facing the left-hand, or northern portion of the Table_. The reason of the change to the "north-side" probably was, 1. That permission was now given to stop short on occasion of celebration; in which case it would hardly be seemly to stand at the centre or consecrating portion of the Table; and perhaps, 2.