W. P. Brigstock, Esq. M. P., moved that the best thanks of the meeting are due to the Parent Society for the prompt and seasonable appointment of the committee of general literature and education, from which such good effects are calculated to proceed. One publication alone of this committee-he alluded to the Saturday Magazine-had arrived at a circulation of eighty thousand copies weekly. Mr. Brigstock concluded by cordially moving the resolution. The Rev. Mr. Thompson seconded the resolution moved by Mr. Brigstock. W. Jeffs, Esq. moved the third resolution, and said, I will avail myself, my lord, of this opportunity to make a few observations, which, as a layman, I feel that I may perhaps be excused in bringing before this meeting. Since we last met, many circumstances have occurred to lower the prospects and just expectations of the clergy of the established church of these realms, more particularly in the sister kingdom; these have (however undeservedly) tended to lower the clergy in public estimation, and must, therefore, be matters of regret to every friend of the established church; by a parity of reasoning, therefore, whatever tends to elevate them in public opinion, ought to be matter of congratulation. The visitation of cholera, which was alluded to at the meetings of last year, as hovering over these dominions, has since appeared amongst us; it has afforded many opportunities for the clergy to shew their fidelity in the great cause in which they are engaged; and in no place have their exertions shone more brilliantly than they have in Bath-I allude more particularly to the two ministers of Trinity church, in which district the disease prevailed in its most extended and appalling form. So long as I am blessed with memory, so long shall I remember walking through the distressed district of Avon-street, at the period in question, with my Rev. friend, the Secretary for this day. Never shall I forget the deeply-rooted feelings of respect with which he was regarded by the poor inhabitants, who were standing at their doors in all the quiet of the sabbath; that respect, however, was mingled with a certain degree of awe; for although they knew him to be the dispenser of comfort, they knew also that he was too often the harbinger of death; they seemed as if ready to exclaim, what wretched abode is likely now to see the cholerahearse at the door on to-morrow's dawn! Comparative comfort pervaded their countenances, as they saw him part from them to enter the cholera hospital, because they were aware that no new case had been taken to that house of reception, in which he fulfilled duties, which it is not presumptuous in me to say, will be remembered on the eternal sabbath, for which the church on earth is waiting. Actions such as these will bear themselves down, and I scruple not saying, my lord, that the Church of England was raised in the estimation of hundreds, at the period in question, more especially amongst the poorer classes. But I may not rest-here. Since we last met, we have lost a valuable member of this society, a most zealous minister, and one of the most amiable of men, in the curate of St. Michael's parish, who has been removed to a more extended charge, in a distant part of the realm; the subscriptions which were raised, as testimonials to his worth, form collectively the most beautiful tribute which I ever witnessed to the merits of a Christian minister.

The Rev. H. Marriott seconded the resolution.

Captain Muttlebury moved, that this meeting fully concurs in the exertions made by the Parent Society for procuring the division of the overwhelming diocese of Calcutta, as well as for the complete discontinuance of that British interference which has tended (however unintentionally) rather to the encouragement than suppression of the horrid rites of idolatry in India.

Sir W. Cockburn moved, that the thanks of this meeting are especially due to the Lord Bishop for his kindness, not only in presiding at this meeting, but for the readiness with which his lordship has undertaken and discharged the office of preacher this day.

Seconded by the Rector of Bath, and carried by acclamation.

The Lord Bishop acknowledged the vote of thanks with much warmth of feeling, and the meeting separated.

DUDDO CHAPEL, in the township of Duddo, parish of Norham, district of Norhamshire, county palatine of Durham, (opened for divine service September, 1832,) was built by contract;-Mr. Bonomi, of Durham, architect. Dimensions, inside, 40 feet by 18. Materials-stone, slate, Memel timber, oak door. Order, Saxon. Calculated to hold 200 persons. No pulpit or reading-desk: the altar platform, somewhat elevated and of stone, serves for all. The materials were led gratis by the farmers. The stone was quarried on the spot, close to the site of the chapel.

Some few alterations, altar table, cloth, cushions, &c., make the total cost about 2301.

BEER SHOPS.

(From Mr. Majendie's Report on the disturbed districts of East Sussex.) "The beer shops are considered as most mischievous. They allow of secret meetings beyond any places previously existing, being generally in obscure situations, kept by the lowest class of persons; they are receiving houses for stolen goods, and frequently brothels; they are resorted to by the most abandoned characters-poachers, smugglers, night depredators, who pass their time in playing at cards for the expenses of the night, in raffling for game and poultry, and concocting plans for future mischief; they are never without a scout, and are not interrupted by the observation of any person of respectability; no information can be obtained from the masters, who are in the power of their guests, spirits being usually sold without license; and not one in ten sell homebrewed beer. Similar representations are made in East Kent. A magistrate expressed his opinion that no single measure ever caused so much mischief in so short a time, in demoralizing the labourers. The evidence of the High Constable of Ashford is very strong, and his means of judging extensive-having been called upon to attend at the numerous fires which have taken place in that district. He has been present in the condemned cells, at the last parting of the convicts from their parents and relations; and it appears that all the acts of incendiarism were perpetrated by frequenters of beer shops. Dyke, who was executed, was taken in a beer shop; and the the two Packhams, who suffered at Maidstone, acknowledged, before their execution, that they went from a beer shop to commit the offence."

CHURCH REFORM.

No material change has taken place in the state of things, as to the Irish church, since last month, except that it would appear that the tax on the actual possessors of benefices is given up by the Ministry. It must be a matter of satisfaction that any thing so dangerous to all property as the forcible invasion of vested interests, should be abandoned; although the mischief of such an idea having been countenanced by a Government cannot be obviated. But, if the tax itself is to remain, the worst parts of the bill remain, viz. the sacrifice of the principle of a National Establishment, and the cruel injustice of impoverishing men who are too poor already, in order to lay upon them a burthen which does not belong to them. It is understood too (as was stated in last month's Number), that the six years' purchase clause will be abandoned. But, if any money is to be raised on the lands of the church, is it possible that any Government can really think of applying it to any but church purposes? By the way, the following extract from the petition of the under-church tenants deserves most attentive consideration. How many things are entirely altered in their value by the very circumstance of Government even entertaining a wild project about them; and how entirely is all confidence about them shaken, without a possibility of restoring it!

"Your petitioners, however, cannot conclude the prayer of this their humble petition, without a further and most urgent entreaty-to wit, that in case this Honourable House should be pleased to reject this bill, or that portion thereof which relates to your petitioners, it will, notwithstanding, and

with as little delay as possible, endeavour, by some other species of enactment, to restore, if possible, to their tenure that stability, security, and value it formerly possessed, and of which it has now been deprived by the very proposition for its modification. For such a purpose, so desirable for petitioners and for the whole community, your petitioners respectfully submit that the ecclesiastical authorities be empowered to renew their leases for sixty-one years at least, reserving the right of a periodical revision of the rent, according to the varying price of corn, and securing to the under-tenant his usual toties quoties covenant-an enactment which your petitioners humbly submit as the one best calculated to alter the present tenure in such manner as must tend to the ease and security of the church, and the advantage of the persons holding thereunder.'"

In addition to this, it is only necessary to mention the various addresses from the clergy. That from the clergy assembled at Dublin is most firm, decided, and deserving of every commendation. The Armagh address recognizes the principle of consolidating sees, but objects both to the number proposed, and to all notion of taking the revenues for any but church purposes, and decidedly objects to the other parts of the plan, as do the addresses of the Dublin and Limerick clergy. The clergy of Derry, strange to say, with an ill-timed generosity, consent to the tax on themselves, but protest loudly against the rest of the plan. There have been most spirited addresses from the clergy of Durham, Canterbury, and Bristol, and from other quarters also.*

On the other side, what has been done? In the principal debate on the Irish church, in answer to Mr. Lefroy's most powerful speechfull of strong facts and striking arguments-what was adduced by the anti-church party? Let us examine the arguments put forward by the ministerialists and anti-churchmen, in the speech of the gentleman appointed to answer Mr Lefroy, which may be supposed to contain the strength of their argument. It was quite as good as Mr. Macaulay's, and quite as full of argument.

"Preamble.—Mr. † expressed his surprise at the arguments which had just been addressed to the house."

Most people will feel more surprise at his. Was he surprised at hearing vested interests defended? or had he never heard that any one thought church property sacred till Mr. Lefroy propounded the monstrous novelty? But this is losing time.

Argument I.-To prove that church property may be dealt with

by the Legislature.

"In his opinion, the Legislature had a perfect right to deal with the church property, if they did so for the public benefit." How powerful! how conclusive !

It is matter of sincere regret not to give copies of these addresses. They are valuable documents, and ought to be preserved. But it is impossible. Those already sent would occupy at least one sheet and a half. There are a good many other documents of a similar nature suppressed for want of room. Should there not be,

at the end of the year, a collection of these in a Supplement, as a record for the clergy?

The name is suppressed, as no personal attack could be admitted. It is only sought to shew what is the line of argument adopted.

Argument II.—How to prove that it is just to tax the Clergy. "The honourable and learned gentleman had compared the imposition of a tax on the clergy as equivalent to taking away the estate of an individual. There was, however, no similarity between the two cases: the estates of individuals were gained either by the industry of the present possessors, or by the industry and services of their ancestors; whilst the income of the clergy was a stipend paid for public services. They were public functionaries as much as the judge or minister of state, and, as such, were under the controul and superintendence of the Legislature !"

The honourable gentleman never happened to hear of a figure called Petitio Principii. Could not he spare time for a term or two to go through a course of Aldrich, under some of the able logicians at Oxford?

Argument III.—A specimen of the sarcastic.

"The honourable member was mistaken in the history which he had given of the first-fruits. They were taken from the Pope by the Legislature, and converted to the use of the clergy themselves. That was what he supposed the honourable and learned member would call an act of spoliation."

A small historical course might be combined with Aldrich, with great advantage. First-fruits were taken from the Pope by Henry VIII., and were given by Queen Anne to the clergy, and not by the Legislature at all. This is what one supposes the anti-church party would call a fair and accurate view of history.

Argument IV.-To shew that it is not unjust or improper to lay on arbitrary taxes on poor men.

"The honourable and learned member had said much as to the value of the livings in Ireland being exaggerated. That, however, if so, had little to do with the question. If the income of the clergy were less than had been stated, the only result would be this, that the produce of the imposition would be less than had been stated."

The humanity of this argument is as conspicuous as its justice. A most arbitrary and a most heavy tax being proposed on a particular body, it is said by their friends, "It is very cruel to tax these men in this way; their incomes are very small, and they really cannot afford it." To this the anti-church party say, very coolly, "What is that to us? If they are poor, we shall get so much the less; but what do we care about their suffering inconvenience."

Argument V.-To prove, the writer does not know what.

"The argument, that the imposition of a tax on church property was equivalent to an alienation appeared to him most futile." [That is possible, and yet the argument may not be the worse.] "Had they not some taxes which affected personal property only; others whose burthen was borne only by the landed proprietors? Why, therefore, he should like to know, was church property alone to remain untaxed?"

Mr. appears to imagine that church property is a tertium quid, that there are three kinds of property, three only-personal, landedVOL. III.-May, 1833.

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