so applied by certain honourable and learned members of the other house of parliament, in its progress through that house; nor, I confess, am I less so on finding it now viewed in the same light by the noble Earl ;-not, indeed, as matter of reproach or objection, but of approval and commendation. I can, however, assure your lordships, that so far from this view of it being correct, the proposed application of the chapter funds to this institution is strictly in accordance both with the spirit and the letter of the chapter statutes, which expressly point out the advancement of learning as one special object of their endowment as a collegiate body and had either the chapter or myself imagined that the measure was liable to any such misconception, nothing could have been easier than to have guarded against it by a simple recital, in the preamble of the bill, of the very words of the original endowment, as set forth by King Henry VIII., and afterwards, I believe, confirmed by act of parliament. No precedent, therefore, I apprehend, can fairly be drawn from this case, to any appropriation of church revenues to other purposes than those for which they were originally granted."-British Magazine, No. XXI. p. 447.

Now, my lords, when we recollect that Archdeacon Thorpe-who is in that office "the eye of the bishop,” a prebendary of Durham, and now, if not all the while predestined to be, the warden of the Durham University,—is also "chaplain to Earl Grey," it is impossible that any want of information on the subject, can have led to what your lordship of Durham calls "a misapprehension on the part of the noble Earl:" the fact is that the precedent is become a matter of mere opinion: and the majority of the two houses of Parliament have agreed with Earl GREY ; and indeed when the chief minister of the Crown, with a full anticipation of the AUTHORITY which his opinion will carry throughout the country,-with every avenue to knowledge open to him,-rises in his ministerial and legislative character and adduces the University of Durham as a precedent for the consolidation of bishoprics; it is in vain (as the decision of the Upper House testified) for any other individual

to say that "no precedent can fairly be drawn."--And when we call to mind that the establishment of the Durham University had been previously regarded and exposed in that light "by certain honourable and learned members of the house of commons," when we call to mind that the inference drawn by the noble Earl at the head of his Majesty's government had been anticipated ten thousand times before, by the every day lips of common sense, it becomes evident that in his anxiety to attain a favourite object, the Bishop of Durham,-notwithstanding his logical powers and penetration in which he is surpassed by none of his spiritual compeers, did fail to observe, and did omit to guard against that inference which all but the immediate agents in the measure foresaw from the first mention of the University; and which was precisely THAT ONE which the two Houses of Parliament have NOW ESTABLISHED.

Some there may be who, after the Bishop of Durham's assertion, may be shaken from their former opinion in favour of the precedent; but these have only changed their tack, and are now setting full sail to prove from the Prelate's own shewing, that until the last year even the revenues of the least objectionable of all chapters, the Durham one, have never since the time of Henry VIII. been applied to the purposes to which they were dedicated;—and consequently â fortiori that the other chapters, by which study and learning are not upheld as at Durham, call for immediate summary reform and if I may speak the truth, I think that Reformers should thank the Prelate of Durham for giving them a second lift by his contradiction of Earl Grey.

The bishop of Durham has, however, beyond dispute, proved that a want of foresight and precaution is possible in himself, and therefore, considering his established character for learning and ability, I think I may without offence to any other of your lordships, say-that it is possible in all :-and

that it is wanting in respect to the contemplated Union of Benefices, I am disposed to believe, because I will not impugn your integrity, by thinking for a moment that your lordships would have issued a preparatory commission, if the subject had presented itself to you, in the threatening aspect, in which I cannot but see it; and in which I take upon myself to predict that it will be reviewed and shewn to you, as soon as ever your lordships have obtained for your unions, the force of law.

I feel, indeed, some hesitation in attributing this proposed measure exclusively to your lordships,-not merely because your lordships have given your consent to the Pluralities Restriction Bill, which was to place their existence in the Archbishop of Canterbury's power and discretion, and to continue dispensations, which having had their origin in avarice and pecuniary necessities, are relics of worse times discreditable, (yea more,) to our Protestant Establishment,— but, because seeing how long PLURALITIES and NON-RESIDENCE have been a stumbling block of offence to our people, I had with others entertained a hope,-(alas that it should be so vain !!)—that if ever your lordships did consent to withdraw the Restriction Bill, it would be in favour of some measure tending ultimately to the removal of those

* 66 Tending ultimately," because, objectionable and sinful as pluralities are, I am disposed to fear that more would be endangered than secured by an immediate compulsory abolition: and while all will agree, that a gradual method is quite consistent with Lord Althorp's promise, I think that it is quite as much as will prove practicable without injustice, and therefore quite as much as the British public desire, however visionary theorists may magnify possibilities. The parable of the tares and wheat is somewhat to the point; "Let both grow together till the harvest:" and when an Act of Parliament has passed to prevent pluralities in time to come, there are many, I think, who, if desirous to have a conscience void of offenee, will endeavour to redeem the time by conforming at once, and resigning their pluralities. Public opinion is becoming a somewhat formidable minister of the Law.

scandals, and in my humble opinion sinful, where unnecessary, evils. Never did it occur to me to think that we should live to see the day when a measure would be brought forward by your lordships-to PERPETUATE THEM:— and brought forward when the public mind, wearied almost into intolerance of them, is buoyed up by the promises and

PLEDGES OF THE MINISTRY.

There are, it is true, little circumstances which but for positively OPPOSING FACTS, would suggest to me the thought that the commission had been sanctioned by Government :-such as the utter silence which was preserved about it in the House of Lords till just the close of the last session, (for we all know that silence is necessary, especially in these days, to ministerial success,)— such again as the impatience of its mention, and the haste with which reply was made by the bishop of London, to inquiries made regarding it by the Duke of Newcastle, a nobleman whose character for religion and notorious attachment to the Established Church, always, till the night in question, had obtained for him,-as they entitled him to, invariable courtesy and attention from the episcopacy, on all matters touching that church.

But while these incidents give rise to thoughts of tracing this contemplated Union of Benefices beyond your lordships, the plain and unequivocal DECLARATION OF LORD ALTHORP dissipates, yea, forbids a suspicion, that the ministers of the Crown have had any share whatever in issuing the preparatory commission: for the noble CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER stands PLEDGED, voluntarily pledged, by having officially and in the House of Commons announced that THE ABOLITION OF PLURALITIES is a measure contemplated by Government: and as far as his lordship is concerned, I feel confident that he will never violate that pledge;—and I think HIS MAJESTY'S PRESENT MINISTRY must be aware that the public are not

just now in a humour to support them in GOING BACK FROM It will baffle the most ingenious casuist,

THEIR PROMISES.

and most able logician in Parliament, I may say in the schools, to shew that THE UNION OF BENEFICES is THE ABOLITION OF PLURALITIES.-He might as well try to satisfy the public that A MAN, WHEN HIS LEGS are tied TOGETHER, ceases to be A BIPED.

Your measure, therefore, cannot possibly receive any countenance from his Majesty's ministers. If there is faith in man,-if pledges and statements made in the House of Commons are any thing better than mockery of the country, and insult to the hearers,-the present Government are against your intended union,—and thus it becomes evident-that your lordships are about to volunteer a struggle against them and their intended measures of reform:---considering that the Government by abolishing pluralities will be only doing what ought to have been done long ago, I only here say as regards the perpetuation which your lordships are contemplating to attempt, that "no one goeth a warfare without first counting the cost."

Of the consequences of your effecting your proposed Union of Benefices, more anon: "To judge the action we must know the means."

I therefore proceed to a notice of

:

THE COMMISSION IN ITS OPERATION, and as a more organized opposition, will, I think, be attempted, and a more detailed statement of the interference with property will in all human probability be made when your lordships bring the question before Parliament, I shall content myself with opening the subject by adducing one of the returns made by the commissioners, anonymously; not that I would be understood as desiring to screen myself thereby God forbid: the names at length might involve personal considerations, and therefore I forbear to insert them, hoping thereby to satisfy every