MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. In answer to W. J. N.'s Letter on Briefs, who wishes the popular error to be corrected, "that the sum collected flows not into the channel for which it is solicited," we beg to refer him to our vol. LXXXVII. i. for an official statement, in which this question is satisfactorily put to rest. And for various observations on Briefs, we refer him to our General Index, vol. III. p. 55. In reply to S. R. M. page 112, our Reviewer remarks, "I used the term farm, instead of the technical term manse, because that is intelligible. Ducange (speaking of Gervase of Tilbury, Brompton, and Higden, who says, that a Hundred consists of a hundred villa) observes, "Videtur enim his locis villa idem esse quod colonia seu familia rustica, uni agri portioni addicta." No man ever had so intimate a knowledge of mediaval subjects as Ducange. He says this, "Hundredi an certo familiarum vel villarum numero constiterint, haud omnino planum est. The article sent by F. on the playfulness of Nature in the case of the offspring of a mare, wants the attestation of a real name. E. F. I. will find "the manor of Goodrest" in Dugdale's Warwickshire, I. p. 272. We are obliged by the offer of Mr. Twemlow of Hatherton, but what he suggests would lead to too much expence, on account of its great extent. A CONSTANT READER observes, "In the Gent. Mag. 1819, Part ii. p. 9, Mr. D. Parkes relates the same affecting story of the death of the Governor of the Tower, as mentioned by the Author of “Peveril of the Peak;" but the former states it to have been Col. BENBOW, father of the renowned Admiral of that name; and the latter, a Major COLBY. Query, which is the correct statement?" G. W. H. is desirous of being informed, whether the following work is contained in any collection of Sir Walter Raleigh's works; and if not, whether any thing is now known of it ::-"The Life and Death of Mahomet, the Conquest of Spaine, together with the Rysing and Ruine of the Sarazen Empire. Written by Sir Walter Raleigh, knt. London, printed by R. H. for Daniel Frere, and are to be sold at the Red Bull in Little Brittain. Anno Dom. 1637." An ENQUIRER having heard that a Society has lately been formed at Liverpool for the purpose of ultimately ABOLISHING SLAVERY in the West Indies, is desirous of knowing what methods have been taken for obtaining so desirable an end.-He also wishes to be informed what (if any) mitigation of the suffering of the unfortunate Negroes has taken place in consequence of the Act passed in 1807 for the ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE? INVESTIGATOR enquires, "Who was the author of a 12mo volume of Latin Poems. printed for J. Gray, London, in 1729; under the title of Umbritii Cantiani Poemata?' He was a Kentish man, of course.' JUSTICE SHALLOW will be greatly obliged by being informed in what line the Rev. John Lucy of Charlecott, Warwickshire, whose death is mentioned in our Obituary for last Month, p. 188, was descended from Shakspeare's Lucy. Our limits will not permit the insertion of the long communication of C. V. T. on Tithes and Agricultural Distress. RED ROSE informs LINCOLNIENSIS, the heirs to Hugh Lord Willoughby de Parham were his Lordship's two sisters; one married Mr. Roscoe; the other married Mr. Shaw: their children, and their children's children, are in possession of his Lordship's estates. Mary, the daughter of Thomas Lord Willoughby de Parham, who married Samuel Greenhalgh of Adlington, had issue four sons, Thomas, who married, and left a daughter; Samuel, married, and left one son and a daughter; William, died a ba chelor; and Thirstan, who married, and had two daughters. The heirs of Thomas Greenhalgh have an estate in Adlington; and the heirs of Samuel Greenhalgh possess an estate in Adlington also. W. would be obliged to any of our Nottinghamshire readers for a clue to the descent of Mr. Arundel Blunt of Nottingham; he died about the year 1710 or 1715, and was buried in St. Peter's Church. Also, for information whether he was connected with the family of Arundel, and how? H. enquires, whether the "History of Bridgnorth," long since spoken of as in a state of progress, is yet gone to press, and when the publication may be expected? HARWELL asks, when "Watts's Specimens of the Living Poets" will be published, or is it abandoned? ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. Vol. XCII. Part i. p. 92, b. 1. 15 from bottom, for Sussex. read Suffolk. P. 644, 1. 15, read Maythan Hall, and add, aged 61. Part ii. p. 117, b. l. 20, read Gillion. P. 306, 1. 3, for Wolverhampton, read Shrewsbury. P. 320, 1. 10, after Lady Elizabeth, add enceinte with our Poet. P. 569, Mr. Offer died Dec. 22. P. 597, b. 1. 2, read anngaros. P. 607, 1. 11 from bottom, read Pomeroy. Vol. XCIII. p. 93, Dr. Pett was aged 57. P. 175, b. 1. 14; and p. 177, b. 1. 1, for Wm. Courtenay, esq. Master in Chancery, read Mr. Serjeant Hullock. P. 177, read Mrs. Herbert Hawes. P. 190, 1.1, read Mrs. Maria Sheffield, aged 67. THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. MARCH, 1823. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THE BRITISH NAVY. Mr. URBAN, Lloyd's, March 1. In Elizabeth's reign-a reign of prudence, good management, and pros A sion I have lately taken on seve- perity- Navy was formed by Spain ral occasions, of intimating to your respectable readers what, I am persuaded, their own feelings dictate to their minds,-that, as Islanders, we have experienced the good effects of an attention to that part of our defence, the Navy, I feel justified in stating a retrospection, that cannot fail of producing in every one a gratifying sensation. The very name of ALFRED will be conveyed by the pen of the Historian to the end of time! This almost unparalleled character for every thing great and good, was the first to prove to our countrymen the utility of shipping, and that our fleets were the surest defence from that torrent of invaders which was a continual source of evil and mischief, until fleets were established to keep the enemy in check. William the what shall I say?-the Norman, connected us with France; and his various successors continued to embroil us with that power, until Edward the Third, whose military talents stand high in our anuals, left on record the value of our countrymen's bravery at Cressy and Poictiers. Time and sober reflection, however, lead us to hesitate at least on the expediency and justice of his views. Agincourt followed, and perhaps with no better results. "Time, like an ever-rolling stream," at last separated our politics from the Continent, from the deaths of their successors; and with the exception of a French prince coming to support the Barons to establish Magna Charta (which, by the bye, was most for their own personal interest), we remained detached as it were from all party and politics with the Continent. (whose capacity for doing it was founded in her having distant colonies, and foreign commerce), which was of such a magnitude, that any thing short of the Queen's character, and the abilities of her Ministers, would have paralyzed the nation, and confounded its councils. She, however, rose superior,—her Ministers shone conspicuous, and her fleets produced a gallantry and heroism never before equalled. With all these circumstances impressed on the mind, we may briefly mention the various monuments erected by a grateful people to her memory, in different parts of the kingdom, paying it an homage which no Sovereign before or since has experienced. At this period the stable formation of our fleets may be said to have been planned and executed; and the names of those excellent seamen who commanded them, are too well recollected to require repeating.-James II. "heaves in sight" next to our floating recollections; he was a brave officer; the Dutch can prove this. With the Revolution came again continental connexions, and William III. and Queen Anne's reigns established the character of our countrymen for valour, as soldiers; with it came heavy expences, and the first formation of the National Debt; but we hear nothing of the weight of expenditure afloat;-for this plain reason, it was never felt. Fleets, the bulwark and defence of ISLANDERS, are produced in the bosom of their country, and fed from it; and although taxes may be laid on towards their formation, and to provide for their supplies, which must go from the pockets of 196 Improvement in the British Nury suggested. of the people; the expenditure and outfit are amongst them also, and return into their pockets. The only officer in a fleet that may be said to be connected with trade, is the Purser, and he is accountable in the most exact and scrupulous manner for every article. So true it is that those who are in the habit of "whistling for wind," must look sharp after every thing. In the fleet there are no Commissariats, &c. &c. who, at the termination of a campaign, have too often proved defaulters to serious amounts. Here are no rapid movements that may occasion losses of magnitude, from the necessity of the occasion; but every thing is "compact and snug." From the moment the keel of a 74 is laid, to her return from a three years' station, all is system and management, and liable to be checked. When the Empress of Russia planned the armed neutrality, how were we then supported? By our fleets. When the war raged all over the Continent, and the whole political horizon was overcast, how were we sustained, and under what circumstances? The country was in a state of comfort and safety. And what raised the price of land 25 per cent.? Our Navy, and our sea-girt shore. Never, then, let us forget we are Islanders, and that the great ALFRED was our first Admiral. [March, Navy deserving promotion, and whom indeed your Lordships are desirous of promoting, yet from the peculiar state of the country, are kept in the background, and pining in absolute disappointment. Now, if some plan could be laid before your Lordships, uniting in it utility to the service, without much additional expense, by which a standard might be made, beyond which a certainty of promotion should be granted, I think the case would be in a measure obviated, or certainly much ameliorated. "The plan which has suggested itself to my mind is nearly as follows: "But few officers of H. M. Navy Spanish languages, and in the naval are acquainted with the French and service these are always peculiarly usethe knowledge of them, serious detriful; and at some periods, from want of ment to the service arises, especially in boarding foreign vessels; in this case, one of the crew generally acts as interpreter, between whom and the Captain of the foreign vessel, an understanding may take place, and he may tell a tale quite different from the real one. Officer may be said to do every time he steps his foot on a foreign soil. "Also, but very few officers are intimately acquainted with the superior branches of astronomy, geography, modern and antient history; and yet it must be allowed, that while these inWith our advantages from the Natellectual attainments do not in the val Service, and our improvements least make a man a worse sailor, they in it, science has made considerable infinitely add to the character of his progress; and there are officers whose nautical talents are arrived at the high-sents her abroad, and this the Naval country and nation, when he repreest elevation of astronómical perfection, joined to other philosophical pursuits. We are not, however," to bring up," or to suppose that no further improvements are to be obtained. Permit me, as a proof to the contrary, to submit the following Letter I have received, as offering one of an important nature, and which I would respectfully and earnestly submit to the consideration of that highly-respectable part of the Administration to whom it is addressed (and who are more particularly intrusted with that interesting department, our Navy), the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. "MY LORDS, "It must doubtless be a very distressing thought to your Lordships, that so many young men in H. M. "If, then, after a young man had served seven or even eight years, an examination was established, consisting of the above-mentioned studies, which, if he creditably passed through, his promotion should be certain, it would create a spirit of emulation among the young men of the Navy, and your Lordships would have Officers to put your hand upon suited to the particular service you wished to send them on. "The subjects for examination might be arranged as follows; "1. The French and Spanish languages, or the French and any other language. 2. The higher branches of astronomy, as particularly bearing on navigation, the specific knowledge re 1823.] British Navy-Origin and Defence of Tithes. quired could be stated. 3. A thorough knowledge of geography. 4. A knowledge of antient and modern history. 5. A good knowledge of drawing and fortification. "Any four of these to be sufficient, viz. the first, and either three of the remainder. "Your Lordships could alter and arrange these in any way your better judgment might deem right. While something of this sort would doubtless stimulate many to press forward in the career of knowledge; it would not hinder or shut the door of promotion to others who might deserve it, from various other circumstances; some, perhaps, would not be able to attain it; others would not try: while the zealous would gain promotion in the service of their choice, and in doing which they would have acquired a stock of information which would befriend them in a thousand instances, and in the acquisition of which much time had most probably been employed, which otherwise would, perhaps, at the best, have been wasted; and on this account only, I doubt if one parent who has a son in the Navy would regret a regulation of this na ture. "Leaving this subject, however, to your Lordships' more mature and better judgment, I have the honour to remain," &c. I have now fulfilled the promise I made, of transmitting for publication in your valuable pages a plan suggested by an excellent young officer, who feels exactly as a liberal mind ought,-as one who is interested for the honour of the service, and the glory of his country. To your readers, and to the highly respectable persons to whom it is addressed, I will leave it, as deserving of attention. SEVER T. WALTERS. Mr. URBAN, March 3. EVERAL Correspondents, in your valuable and interesting Magazine, have lately speculated on the subject of Tithes; but, as it seems, without understanding, or at least, without adverting to, the true nature and state of the question. I shall not here inquire into the divine right of Tithes, which the great oracle of the law, Sir Edward Coke, asserts and Leslie and others have evinced by arguments not easy to be refuted. It is sufficient at present to observe, that when the Gospel, taught here in the days of the Apostles, and most probably by St. Paul, came to be generally known and embraced, the great landed proprietors built Churches for divine worship; and being at liberty to endow them as they pleased, they thought good to endow them with Tithes,-a mode of providing for the service of God, which had uninterruptedly obtained in the world, at least from the days of Abraham. From this period of the endowment of Churches, whenever it was, but anterior certainly by many centuries to the days of William the Norman, there have been in every parish two proprietors; the proprietor of the land, and the proprietor of the Tithes. The landed or lay estate has passed, by inheritance, by purchase, and by other modes of transmission, through the hands of various proprietors. The sacred estate or Tithes, in many cases, remain at this day attached to the Churches, to which they were first assigned. He who first succeeded, say by inheritance, to the founder of a Church, had no right to complain that his father, having the absolute disposal of the entire estate, devoted one-tenth of it to the service of God; and bequeathed nine-tenths, and only nine, to his heir. And all who, in succeeding times, have come into possession of the same estate by purchase, gave less for it, probably one-fifth less, than they would have given, had they bought it not subject to the out-going Church payment. And the proprietor of an estate, so circumstanced, has no more reason to complain, that he has not that other part, the Tithes, which he did not purchase, than he has to complain that his neighbour's field, which he did not purchase, is not his. The case is precisely similar, if he is merely an occupier or tenant. He took the farm, subject to the known charge or deduction of Tithes, and has in fact two rents to pay, one to the Land-owner, the other to the Tithe owner; but with this advantage in his favour, that the two rents combined shall be less than the one single rent of the same land would be, if not subject 198 Defence of Tithes.-Book Plates. to tithe. Put the case (for example) that the landlord's rent is 401. and the Rector's 101. the total is 501. But annihilate the tithe, or transfer it into lay hands, and the rent shall at once be 521. twelve pounds being paid for what was enjoyed for 101. when it was payable to a Clergyman. For it is, I believe, undeniable, as a Country Gentleman of good estate and superior understanding observed to me forty years ago, that when a layman is vested with tithes, he readily obtains a rent of twelve pounds, where a Clergyman would take ten only. But the value, be it more or less, is not the question, but, whose is the property? And the plain incontestible fact is, as we have said, that where there are tithes, there are two rents, and two proprietors; one whose title can be traced back for a century perhaps, or it may be, in some cases, for five or six centuries; but the other has subsisted, and been uninterruptedly acknowledged for more than a dozen centuries. It is sometimes asserted, that the property of the Church is public property; whence some men infer, that it may at any time be resumed by those who gave it. But the position is as false as the inference is unjust and iniquitous. What is now the property of the Church never was public property. Before it was given to the Church, it was universally private property. Individual proprietors, lords of the respective manors, thought good in this way to endow Churches built for the more immediate use of themselves and their dependants. And hence in general the advowson goes with the manor, and even with the moieties of it; so that he who has half the manor, has half the advowson also, in the right of alternate presentation to the benefice, and a fourth of the manor carries every fourth presentation. In most cases where the patronage is in the Crown, the crown was, it is believed, the original and immediate proprietor of the soil; but in some cases the right has originated in voluntary donation, in purchase, or forfeiture. Indulge me, Mr. Urban, as we are upon the subject, with one word more. It is reasonable to suppose, and is indeed easily demonstrable, that the mode in which God himself prescribed for the support of his Church under the ancient dispensation, is the most [March, eligible, and most expedient for all parties, for the payer as well as the receiver of tithes. It is thus that the connection between things civil and sacred is best understood and preserved. The blessings promised in Holy Writ* to those that rendered to the Lord his dues, the curses denounced against those that robbed him; these doubtless live, and are efficacious now, as in days of old; but of these sanctions I am not daily reminded, these hopes of a blessing from above, I am not equally encouraged to cherish, if, beyond what the law exacts for incidental expenses, no part whatsoever of my own substance, not one grain of my own cultivation, goes to the divine treasury. Tithes also, it should be noted, give the Clergyman a beneficial influence and authority, which in no other circumstances is equally attainable. "I give away in my parish," said a most worthy divine, who now rests from his labours, "two or three hundred a year" (meaning that he let his tithes for so much less than their fair value,) "and it gives me this advantage; if I find a man careless and inattentive in religious duties, I can say, "How is this, my friend? I do not see you at Church so constantly as I could wish. I shall remember this in our next agreement"-requiring, suppose, 301. instead of 201. Of the efficacy of this disinterested liberality this was one pleasing evidence, that the principal parishioners, his tenants, voluntarily expended large sums in the appropriate and elegant decoration of the Church. R. C. I AM induced by an article in your last vol. xcII. part ii. p. 614, on the subject of what is indefinitely termed a Book Plate, to offer the following observations. The custom of inserting a small print within the covers of books bearing the name of the owner, with his coat of arms, or other device, originated, I believe, late in the Seventeenth Century; previous to which many persons had the initials of their names, or their arms, impressed on the outside of the cover; but this mode being practicable only at the binding of the book, and awkward whenever it changed its owner, (even by honest See Prov. iii. 9, 10.-Mal. iii. 8-10. Neh. xiii. 10-14. means) |