and Wine, as he shall think sufficient.
After which done, the Priest shall say, Let us pray, &c.

The small fair linen cloth, commonly called the Veil, which is to
be used after the Communion, should not be spread upon the fair
white linen cloth which covers the Table, nor used to cover the
Elements before the Communion.

In order to place the Bread and Wine on the Table, which must
be done at this time, and not before, the Priest should have them at
hand in another place. This is usually the Credence-table, or some
shelf near to the altar. He places them as he did the alms, humbly,
as an offering, and so much of each as he judges approximately
sufficient for the communion of himself and the people. But if
he should afterwards find his computation excessive--as the offering
the alms and elements together is not directly connected with
consecration--he is not under obligation to consecrate all that
he has offered. He may, therefore, if he should think the entire
contents of the Flagon likely to be required for Communion, offer
the Wine in that vessel. The usage, however, of pouring a portion
of the Wine into the chalice (as was directed in the Prayer-Book
of 1549), and placing the chalice on the table without the flagon,
has been generally maintained, though this pouring forms no part
of the rubrical directions of our Liturgy, either here or at any
other period of the service.

This usage is properly associated also with the primitive custom
(prescribed to be used in 1549) of 'putting thereto a little pure
and clean water.'

The preparatory action of mixing water with the wine (besides being
connected with the original Act of Institution), was undoubtedly
the custom of the time when this Church and Realm received the
order of ministering the Sacrament, and it has never been prohibited
in the Prayer-Book. The practice is, therefore, a performance of
the Ordination vow of the English Priesthood, "so to minister the
Sacraments as the Lord hath commanded, and as this Church and Realm
hath received the same, according to the Commandments of God." A
few drops of water are sufficient for compliance with the usage,
and in no case should the quantity of water exceed one third of
the whole.

If the chalice is not fitted with a cover, some substitute for a
cover should be placed upon it; a small, square piece of linen,
stiffened with cardboard, is sometimes used for this purpose.

It is desirable that the Priest should, a