He then proceeds: “It may be observed here that the cutters too are of no regular size. They are generally over small. I have seen breads no larger than a sixpence intended for communicating the faithful. In the distribution of such very small particles there is evidently danger of irreverence”. No one can question the truth of what our correspondent states; but we must say that we have generally found the breads sufficiently large when made by the convents or others duly charged with so important a matter, and we may also remark that the cutters will not be made too small if there be no demand for them on the part of the clergy. The small breads ought to be considerably larger than a shilling and very little under a two-shilling piece. We are much obliged to our reverend correspondent for calling our attention to this matter, and we hope the observations which we have taken the liberty of making, will have the effect of correcting any abuses that may exist, and inducing all persons concerned to provide themselves with cutters of a proper size, or what would be still better, to secure the services of a religious community, or of others duly authorized to prepare the breads for the use of the altar. We shall close these observations by giving some extracts on the present subject, from a very useful book published at Louvain, by Rev. P. J. F. De Herdt, entitled _Sacrae Liturgiae Praxis_, which is very highly esteemed. I. Qualis debet esse Hostia, ut valide et licite sit consecrabilis? R. Ut valide consecretur, debet esse confecta ex tritico cum aqua, saltem in majori quantitate, et esse non corrupta: ut licite consecretur, debet esse 1° sine admixtione aliorum granorum et liquorum praetor triticum et aquarm naturalem; 2° panis azymus; 3° recenter confecta (_Vide p. 2. n. 30. ad. III._); 4° rotunda, integra et non fracta; 5° candida et non maculata; 6° tenuis; 7° ordinariae magnitudinis; 8° cum imagine Crucifixi, quam ei impressam esse convenit: in eo tamen servandam esse consuetudinem respondit. S. R. C. 26. _Ap. 1834. n. 4574. Vid. Quarti quaest. proaem. s. 5. puncto 4. dub. 3._ Hinc hi duo versus. Candida, triticea, ac tenuis, non magna, rotunda. Expers fermenti, non falsa, sit hostia Christi.