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he could never have had two, out of his three, curacies-namely, the first and the second. And though, no doubt, another curate might have done the same which favourable circumstances enabled him, by God's blessing, to do, it is quite certain that the incumbents of the respective benefices referred to would never have originated those measures, to the extent actually brought about, which nevertheless, when earnestly proposed and taken in hand by a representative, they were abundantly content to sanction and to further, according to their power.

Nor is it to be said with truth, that any system of providing assistant and co-resident curates would answer such desirable ends equally well-(supposing that the ends deserve to be so designated.) So far from it, the like would rarely be attainable at all, under the perpetual and unavoidable constraints of double residence. This topic is a delicate one, and not to be opened unadvisedly; but there are almost numberless varieties of hindrance, or of drawback, supposable under this contingency, of which not one exists, to any material extent, in cases where a non-resident incumbent delegates the chief direction to a representative, on whom he can repose a broad and generous confidence, with liberty to act for the best at his own discretion, subject only to the conditions of frank communication, and (if necessary) final supervision.

But this is not the present matter of inquiry. With regard to that, here are the facts of an individual's positive experience; and the reader must deal with them at his pleasure. For himself, the describer of this outline does not scruple to avow a conscientious persuasion, that pluralities, left to find their own way as they have hitherto done, are far less a practical evil than a practical good; and that, even if they shall be permitted to remain without any modification or restraint as to their amount, the leaving them untouched would still be infinitely preferable to the extinction of them altogether. He goes further, and strongly objects to the proposed limitation of them by the late Bill; thinking that to restrict the nominal amount of them to 4007. a year is doing great mischief, without any real counterbalancing good, inasmuch as the non-resident incumbent being, by the hypothesis, himself a needy man, cannot afford to be otherwise than scrupulously economical in the temporal charities of each benefice; and thus, all that free and salutary confidence which may be exercised by a more wealthy incumbent, in delegating his second charge to a well-chosen deputy, which has been hinted at already, can find no room for exercise. A large and a small living held together, or even two large livings, form combinations far better for the true interests of the people, in practice, than can by possibility arise, in general, from the junction of two meagre benefices, and such amount as is proposed.

He has to offer, in conclusion of an article already too long, only one thought more.

While perhaps one of the most pleasing theories of the present parochial constitution of the Church of England, and possibly (upon the whole) one of its highest practical advantages, is the settlement of incumbents for life in their respective parishes, it can hardly be doubted that, occasionally, a freer power of removing their tabernacle might be a benefit in some instances, as well to minister as flock. At any rate, while it is well that permanence should be the rule, there should for many reasons be some little stream of fluctuation alive also, to counteract or to prevent occasional and partial stagnations. Take what analogy you will, where is the body that will long continue in security or health (according to its nature) without some outlets? Now, perhaps, without having ever been designed for such an end, the necessary locomotions of curates may, under Providence, supply in the established church very nearly the desirable amount of provision for a due stirring and refreshing of the waters? The thought cannot be now pursued, as it opens into a wide field; but it is well entitled to reflection, and the writer's deliberate opinion is, that there is much force in it.

Ignotus can subscribe a personal testimony, in the way of illustration, on this point also. There are those who could bear him witness, that he had pronounced specifically of a leading member of one of his congregations, for whom he had much regard, but to whom he had more than once had occasion to speak in terms of friendly admonition, that, notwithstanding arguments had been to all appearance urged in vain with him to a particular effect during his ministry, he felt convinced that something had been done towards "breaking up the fallow ground," and that his successor, in all probability, would see the fruit. And the event very soon confirmed his expectation, grounded simply on a steady watch kept over the movements of human prejudice and passion. This is, of course, only a single instance in a question where perhaps a thousand kindred ones might be required to constitute a just induction; but would there not be found tens of thousands, if it were possible to bring together in one the personal experience of as many clergymen, as would combinedly supply the proof?

But into this, or other arguments, of which the writer can affirm that he has felt the force experimentally, of tendency to shew the many great advantages possessed by curates, which they will never find again when once advanced from that condition in the church, it is not either necessary or expedient now to enter. The present article shall be concluded with avowal of an honest opinion, that any measure, of which the practical effect shall be to diminish the present number of reasonably free

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and honourably independent curates, such as have been in time past, can never be a measure of reform, in any other sense than that of fashioning anew, without either immediate benefit, or hope of blessing.

Feb. 7, 1833.

NOTICES OF THE OLDEN TIME.

To the Editor of the British Magazine.

SIR, I send you a drawing of a piece of ancient sculpture in the church of Balsham, Cambridgeshire, of which, perhaps, some of your correspondents will be able to explain the use.

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