That the means for promoting pious learning, hitherto afforded by the cathedrals, are liable to be reduced still further, or even altogether destroyed, through the power now proposed to be given to the Commissioners (prop. 35.), "to unite such of the better endowed canonries in the respective chapters, as may be deemed properly available for the purpose, with the parochial charge of populous districts within the dioceses, in which such churches shall be respectively situate ;" and that according to the tendency of the present measures, all the canonries will probably, in the course of years, be so annexed; inasmuch as the visible and ostensible labours of a parochial ministry will be preferred to the more retired, but more laborious employment of the divine. That whereas the crown now but rarely, as its own independent act, exercises the prerogative (as was commonly the practice of times past) of recommending to chapters the individuals whom they should choose as their bishops, [and the ministers, instead of being only responsible for the appointments of the crown, have in fact engrossed the appointments to themselves,] and so the prerogative of his Majesty, in whom, as the temporal head of the church, the church reposes the fullest confidence, has virtually, in practice, passed into the hands of his Majesty's ministers; and these need now no longer be members of the church, and may be disaffected to it,-it is of especial importance that nothing should be done which should weaken those bodies whose office it would become to prevent any heretical or unfit person from being intruded as a bishop over the church of God.

That your petitioners are convinced that as much or even greater good might be done with respect even to the object of increasing the provisions for the parochial ministry, and far more to the contentment of the church at large, by making use of institutions already existing, than by one general law, which pays no respect to the several local circumstances, the state of the respective dioceses, or the intentions of the respective founders.

That it seems to them contrary to the principles of justice to transfer funds destined for the benefit of particular dioceses, or for particular purposes, into a general fund, without any respect being had to those particular dioceses or those purposes.

[That whatever alterations should appear ultimately right to be made, could be better carried into effect by the several chapters themselves, (in consequence of their more detailed local knowledge,) than by a general board; and that considerable expenditure would be thereby saved, which, otherwise, it is feared, might be deducted from the provision to be made for the cure of souls.]

That the principle, which your petitioners advocate, of regarding, first of all, the original purpose of each foundation, and afterwards applying the surplus revenue to other spiritual purposes, was strongly and decidedly stated in the second report of his Majesty's Commissioners (pp. 8, 9), although it has been but in a few instances, and partially, retained in that which it is now proposed to your lordships to sanction.

That although it is in itself very desirable that the bishops should have the power of preferring deserving persons within their dioceses, no benefit can accrue from despoiling the chapters of their patronage, and transferring to the bishops the patronage obtained by such spoliation: on the contrary, your petitioners believe that the present varied system of patronage is better than one in which all ecclesiastical patronage shall be concentrated in the bishop but that, at all events, the rights of the chapters should be respected, as well as those of private patrons, and that the exercise of those rights should be, in each case, regulated, not violated.

:

That ground has not been shewn for changing the constitution of "all cathedral and collegiate churches, in which the residentiaries have heretofore been elected by the chapter from among the existing prebendaries," (prop. 13,) and transferring the nomination to the bishops of the respective dioceses; and that all interference with ancient rights and statutes, without absolute VOL. X.-Nov. 1836. 41

necessity, is much to be deprecated, as being unjust in itself, and tending to unsettle all institutions and the whole order of things.

That the cathedral bodies have been conducted for several centuries (at the least) under their respective customs and statutes, and that it is very undesirable to entrust to any small body of men the right of altering those customs or statutes, and imposing new ones, without consulting those who are to be subject to those statutes, or giving them a hearing, or allowing them any appeal (all which is proposed by his Majesty's Commissioners); and that such arbitrary power is the more to be deprecated in the present case, inasmuch as in some chapters the members have been bound by oath to observe their present statutes, and might not conceive that any subsequent regulations which might be imposed upon them annulled the obligation of their former oaths.

[That the church can feel the less confidence in the present recommendations, in that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners (much as they are individually respected) are but a very few only of one order only in the church; and that, from their occupations, they can neither have had time nor opportunity fully to acquaint themselves with the circumstances of the respective chapters; nor have these, so far as it appears, been consulted; and that it is not in accordance with the principles of the church, that enactments for the whole body should proceed exclusively from one portion.

That your petitioners cannot view without alarm the large, and absolute, and undefined powers, independent of parliament, lodged in the commission, knowing not into whose hands those powers may hereafter pass.]

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray, that the said report of his Majesty's Commissioners may not receive the sanction of your lordships, [that the powers vested in the commission may be more accurately defined,] and that in any changes, which any altered circumstances may require, in cathedral or chapter property, respect may be had to the original purposes of the several foundations, to the maintenance of that sound and pious learning for which our church has in times past been distinguished,-to the purity of the appointment of bishops,-to the benefit of those places, or districts, or dioceses, for which the several foundations were generally established, or from which such of their incomes as arises from tithe is derived, and to the general constitution and character of our most ancient and venerable church.

CLERICAL LIBRARY.

Ar the suggestion of the bishop during his visitation at Plymouth, a meeting was held on Wednesday, at the house of the Rev. John Hatchard, at which several clergymen of the vicinity were present, when it was resolved to form a Plymouth Clerical and Theological Library, by means of small annual subscriptions and donations, either in money or books. We have no doubt that such a measure will be found highly useful in this neighbourhood, and as it is understood that the co-operation of lay members of the established church will be sought (although the management is to be entirely in the hands of the clergy), there can be little doubt but that in a few years there will be obtained a valuable collection of standard theological works. In addition to the announcement of the names of several subscribers, there were presented to the society, Vitringa's Commentary upon Isaiah, 2 vols. folio, by Rev. J. Hatchard; and Pool's Synopsis Criticorum, 5 vols. folio, by Rev. J. H. C. Borwell, an example which we hope will be followed by many others. The bishop of the diocese, at the request of the clergy, consented to become the president of the society, and most liberally volunteered to contribute either in money or books.—Western Luminary.

These two clauses are meant to embody what was strongly expressed as the general sense of the meeting on those two points.

QUEEN ANNE'S BOUNTY.

"A large sum is contributed every year by the clergy for the augmentation of the smaller livings. This sum cannot be said, in any sense, to be taken out of the pockets of the people; and it would be a curious calculation if we could ascertain the whole amount of income which has been added to the church by the operation of Queen Anne's Bounty."-Burton's Thoughts on Church Reform, p. 39.

THE "curious calculation" thus alluded to by Professor Burton is the object of the present paper. To prevent misapprehension, it may be as well to state in what the proposed inquiry differs from the able calculation in the British Magazine for December last, respecting the benefits derived by livings in lay patronage. The writer of that paper confined his attention to such livings alone, and his whole scope was to shew what advantages they had received from Queen Anne's Bounty. The present is a general summary of the benefits received by livings of all descriptions from that fund. My apology to those who are well acquainted with the subject for prefixing to this summary a short account of the history and operations of Queen Anne's Bounty, must be, the partial, or even total, ignorance upon such subjects which is often to be found in quarters where it is least anticipated. To begin, then

It is almost superfluous to state, that the tenths and first-fruits of all benefices were originally usurpations of the pope, to whom, though not without resistance, they were generally paid in England until the reign of Henry the Eighth. In the twenty-sixth year of that reign, the first-fruits, (by which we are to understand a year's revenue, or tax upon the revenue of the first year of a vacant benefice,) and the tenths of the annual income of all ecclesiastical possessions, were annexed by parliament to the crown. At the same time, a fresh valuation of benefices, according to which the clergy are still rated, was made. In the time of Philip and Mary this branch of revenue was relinquished; but no sooner had Elizabeth ascended the throne, than she resumed it; and from that time till the reign of Queen Anne it continued in the possession of the crown, being (at least, latterly,) granted out in various portions, as pensions or annuities, to court favourites and others. In compliance with a royal message to that effect, an Act of Parliament was passed, in the second and third years of Anne's reign-and a charter granted in the latter year— for establishing a corporation of governors to manage and dispose of the annual income arising from the payment of first-fruits and tenths, which her Majesty had been pleased to give up for the purpose of augmenting small livings, and better providing for the maintenance of the parochial clergy. From these circumstances has this Fund derived its present name. When it was first relinquished, it amounted, according to Burnet, to between sixteen and seventeen thousand pounds per annum.* It has now for upwards of 120 years been gradually advancing those important interests for whose support it was destined by its pious donor. It is here proposed to give a brief sketch of what has been effected by this fund between the years 1713 and 1825, drawn from the details which have been published by the present active and respectable secretary, C. Hodgson, Esq. When first restored to the church, the tenths and first-fruits were so much encumbered by various grants and pensions, that little or nothing could be done for some years in the way of augmentation; especially as large arrears, many of which were not recoverable, were due from the clergy. In order to do something towards lightening the heavy burdens of the poorer clergy, out of near 10,000 benefices in England and Wales, almost 4000 were discharged by act of parliament from the payment of tenths and first-fruits. All these discharged livings were previously ascertained to be under the annual value of 50l. In all benefices producing more than that amount annually, the payment was still retained. We may form some idea of the present riches of the English church from this fact, namely, that very little more than a hundred years ago, taking one bene

17,000l. per annum, according to the representation of the governors to her Majesty in 1710.

fice with another all over the kingdom, out of every five livings, two were under 501, per annum! The relief thus afforded to these wretched livings, if such they could be called, of course materially lessened the annual produce of the tenths and first-fruits. Scanty as their payments individually were. 'still, owing to their number, no small sum (nearly a fourth, as is stated by the governors) was taken away from the former revenue.

It was not till 1713 that the governors began their operations, by proceeding to augment, by lot, with single donations of 2001., (to be invested in purchases at the expense of the corporation,) all livings in turn which did not exceed 101. per annum ; giving, however, the preference to such as were in the gift of the crown.

A second charter, more ample than the first, was granted to the governors in the twelfth year of Queen Anne, and it is upon this, modified as it has been, from time to time, by rules and orders under the royal sign manual, that they still act. At first, as it directed, two-thirds of the yearly income were appropriated to the augmentation, by lot, of small livings under 101. per annum; while the remaining third was expended in granting to livings under 351. per annum like sums of 2007., but only in cases where any person would give the same, or a greater sum or value, in money, lands, or tithes. According to these rules, modified from time to time by a gradual extension of the limit of benefices to be held capable of augmentation, have the governors, by slow degrees, as well from the greatness of their undertaking, as from the smallness of their fund, improved the temporal condition of our church, and increased the comforts of her humbler, but not least zealous or deserving ministers.

Between the years 1809 and 1820. the munificent sum of 1,100,000l. was granted by parliament in aid of the Royal Bounty, by donations of 100,000%. every year, except 1817.* This money was applied to the augmentation of small livings, with an especial reference to their population. In consequence of this assistance from the nation, (and how could the money of the nation have been better or more usefully employed?) the governors, (according to Mr. Hodgson's account,) had, in 1825, augmented nearly all livings up to the annual amount of 501.† They were then engaged in augmenting, by lot, to 601. per annum, such as were under that value, and in meeting benefactions of 2001. in money, land, or tithes ; or rent-charges of 15l. per annum; by donations of 2007. in all cases where the annual value of the living does not exceed 2001. In the distribution of the parliamentary grants, all places containing a population of 500 souls and upwards, and not exceeeding in income 150l. per annum, were preferred at first; and afterwards, this rule was extended to all places with a population of more than 300 souls, and an income of less than 2001. a year. In meeting benefactions from the parliamentary grants, in order to encourage the liberality of the public, 3007. is given to meet the same sums as will procure only 2001. from the Royal Bounty. And in neither case is any benefaction of less than 2007., or any rent-charge of less than 157. a year, met by the corporation.‡

In many instances, the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty have been the means of providing, either by purchase, or else by meeting it as a benefaction, a residence for the incumbent. And since the passing of Gilbert's Acts-of late years, more especially, they have, it is well known, helped to promote

We cannot without pain contrast this real liberality of parliament with that mock liberality which has lately refused the comparatively paltry sum annually voted to the venerable Society for Propagating the Gospel.

+ According to the last Charge of the Bishop of London, (note g, p. 59,) there are still remaining no less than 294 benefices, whose net value is under 50%. per

annum.

All that is here stated comes no lower than 1825. yearly, an authentic account of the proceedings of the Bounty? Are not we of the church of England too candle under a bushel?"

Why is there not published, Governors of Queen Anne's apt sometimes to "put our

the residence of the clergy among their flocks to a very great extent. We may form some idea of the benefits thus procured, not to the clergy alone, but to the country at large, from the fact stated by Mr. Hodgson, that between the years 1811 and 1825, no less a sum than 362,1297. 118. 5d. had been advanced on mortgage to incumbents of livings for building or repairing residences. And, yet more recently, it has been declared by the Bishop of London, in his last Charge, that "in the single Archdeaconry of Essex, within the last eleven years, no less a sum than 48,000l. has been expended on the erection or improvement of parsonage houses. In the whole county of Essex there have been more than fifty new houses built within the last twenty-five years.'

The Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty make it a rule never to augment any donative without first obtaining the consent of the patron in writing to its becoming subject to the visitation and jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese wherein it is situated. All augmented cures, with certain exceptions, become perpetual cures or benefices, and are legally considered such; so that a licence to an augmented cure renders voidable other benefices. And wherever the case requires, or admits of it, when an augmentation is granted to any living, stipulation for an increase of duty is made by the governors. No interest for augmentations from the parliamentary grants, not yet laid out in purchases, is allowed by the governors, without a certificate of the incumbent's residing, or doing his duty, except in duly authenticated cases of actual inability. In failure of such certificate, the interest due is, from time to time, added to the augmentation. It would be curious, and not uninstructive, to compare the quantity of good, the real church reform, that has been quietly and unobtrusively effected by the Royal and National Bounty, with that which has ensued from the efforts of the blustering and noisy advocates of church reform, as it is called. One obstacle certainly stands in the way of such a comparison, and that is, the impossibility of comparing two things, one of which is a nonentity!

In the annexed table is exhibited, at one view, the benefits which have resulted from the application of the tenths and first-fruits to the augmentation of small livings, as well as from the parliamentary grants. It has been drawn up with much care, and at the expense of a great deal of time and trouble; and I think I can vouch for its general accuracy. The first column contains the names of dioceses; the next, the description of livings augmented in each diocese, from 1713 to 1825 inclusive, whether curacies, rectories, or vicarages; the third column contains the number of livings augmented-1st, by lot alone; 2ndly, by benefaction alone; and 3rdly, by both. In the fourth,

is the whole number of livings augmented in any mode. The two next columns contain, first, the number of livings augmented by lot, of a population of a thousand souls and upwards (according to the census of 1831); and, secondly, the number of livings augmented by benefaction of a population of two thousand souls and upwards. These two columns were added, at the expense of some pains, in order to shew how many very small livings, with a very large population, there still are, for the sum of the largest augmentations will produce, from its annual interest, no very enormous addition to the incumbent's income. Then comes the amount of Royal Bounty distributed in each diocese, either in meeting benefactions, or in augmentations by lot; and after that, the amount of parliamentary grants distributed in like manner. The total amount of money distributed from both these funds, and in either of these ways, occupies the four next columns. In the last, is the grand total of money (exclusive of private benefactions) that has been expended from 1713 to 1825, in making augmentations in each diocese. As the present paper has, perhaps, already been extended to too great a length, I shall reserve some observations and calculations respecting the sources of most of the private benefactions, the places augmented, and some remarks on the following summary itself, for a future opportunity.

N. O. Rectory, Essex.

W. P.

The Archdeaconry of Essex is, I need hardly say, not co-extensive with the county of Essex; the former contains about 160, the latter upwards of 400 parishes.