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ter and depth of the bowl in ancient Fonts no rule can be given: from one and a half to two feet wide by about one foot deep seem the average measurements. One of the largest bowls we have met with is at Bradley, Lincolnshire, which is nearly a yard across. It is, however, well known that ancient Fonts were made large enough for the complete immersion of infants. Exceptions to this all but universal practice are very rare; one or two instances are quoted in the Archeologia, vol xi. p. 123. At Horbling and Dembleby, Lincolnshire, are extremely small and probably modern Fonts formed out of a stem or shaft. The violation of the same principle, arising from the unhappy custom of aspersion now prevalent in the English Church, is one of the commonest and worst faults of modern usage. We have seen solid Fonts, in which about a cup-full of water would lie in a small cavity at the top. The general use of white basins and other paltry and irreverent expedients are too well known to need remark or comment. Modern Fonts, until lately, when some very fine imitations of ancient models have been executed in stone, have generally been either pots of Wedgewood ware placed upon or under the Altar, or at least within the Altar rails, or in the Chancel. or they have been meagre stone pedestals with a small white marble basin on the top, or perhaps Italian vases with all sorts of pagan devices upon them. These and such practices are fearful abuses both of common propriety and rubrical ordinances.

• Forbidden by Elizabeth in 1581. Archeologia, vol. x. p. 207.

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