The Censer, as used in the “holy places,” is made either of brass, German silver, or the precious metals; its form somewhat resembles a saucer and an inverted cup, which latter is perforated, to allow the escape of the perfume.  In the outer saucer is placed an inner one of copper, which can be taken out and filled with ignited charcoal.  When in use, the ignited carbon is placed in the censer, and is then covered with the incense; the heat rapidly volatilizes it in visible fumes.  The effect is assisted by the incense-bearer swinging the censer, attached to three long chains, in the air.  The manner of swinging the censer varies slightly in the churches in Rome, in France, and in England, some holding it above the head.  At LA MADELEINE the method is always to give the censer a full swing at the greatest length of the chains with the right hand, and to catch it up short with the left hand.

Several samples of “incense prepared for altar service,” as sent out by Mr. Martin, of Liverpool, appear to be nothing more than gum olibanum, of indifferent quality, and not at all like the composition as especially commanded by God, the form for which is given in full in Exodus.

The pastils of the moderns are really but a very slight modification of the incense of the ancients.  For many years they were called Osselets of Cyprus.  In the old books on pharmacy a certain mixture of the then known gum-resins was called Suffitus, which being thrown upon hot ashes produced a vapor which was considered to be salutary in many diseases.

It is under the same impression that pastils are now used, or at least to cover the mal odeur of the sick-chamber.

There is not much variety in the formula of the pastils that are now in use; we have first the

INDIAN, OR YELLOW PASTILS.

Santal-wood, in powder, 1 lb. 
Gum benzoin, 1-1/2 lb. " Tolu, 1/4 lb. 
Otto of santal, } " cassia, } each, 3 drachms. " cloves, }
Nitrate of potass, 1-1/2 oz. 
Mucilage of tragacantha, q.s. to make the whole into a stiff paste.

The benzoin, santal-wood, and Tolu, are to be powdered and mixed by sifting them, adding the ottos.  The nitre being dissolved in the mucilage, is then added.  After well beating in a mortar, the pastils are formed in shape with a pastil mould, and gradually dried.

The Chinese josticks are of a similar composition, but contain no Tolu.  Josticks are burned as incense in the temples of the Buddahs in the Celestial Empire, and to such an extent as to greatly enhance the value of santal-wood.

DR. PARIS’S PASTILS.

Benzoin, }
Cascarilla, } of each, 1/4 lb. 
Myrrh, 1-1/4 oz. 
Charcoal, 1-1/2 lb. 
Otto of nutmegs, } of each,
  " cloves, } 3/4 oz. 
Nitre, 2 oz.