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"Where has this mad fellow stolen that sacramental vessel?" exclaimed the Episcopal clergyman. This question drew the notice of the guests to the silver cup, which was recognized as appertaining to the communion-plate of the Old South Church, and, for aught that could be known, it was brimming over with the consecrated wine. "Perhaps it is poisoned," half whispered the governor's secretary.
It was curiously carved in old oak, very much like the ends of the benches and book-boards. "What is that you were sitting on?" I asked. "A chest or what?" "It be there when we come to this place, and that be nigh fifty years agone, sir. But what it be, you'll be better able to tell than I be, sir." "Perhaps a chest for holding the communion-plate in old time," I said.
The altar coverings which are now in use were presented to the cathedral by Queen Mary, the wife of William III., when she visited Canterbury. A chalice, given by the Earl of Arundel in 1636, is among the communion-plate. In his account of the building of the new choir, Gervase tells us that "the Master carefully prepared a resting-place for St. Dunstan and St. Elfege the co-exiles of the monks."
My cousin Fanny's grandmother had stood in the door of her chamber with her large scissors in her hand, and defied Tarleton's red-coated troopers to touch the basket of old communion-plate which she had hung on her arm.
Though rebuilt a hundred years ago, on the site of an earlier church, it has remained loyal to its history, and is the true child of the eighteenth century. Is it not fitting that the communion-plate presented by Queen Caroline should be treasured here? That the sexton should still show you, even with a cold indifference, the stately prayer-books which once contained prayers for the king?
Did not the Lord Mayor and Corporation once entertain the man who gave a service of gold communion-plate to St. Paul's Cathedral, and who afterwards spent many years in one of His Majesty's gaols? My blood boiled within me when I read that announcement. Yet on calmer consideration, I resolved to still wait and watch.
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