been not a little disgusted on hearing, instead of

the things which become sound doctrine,” a torrent of invective levelled, by an indiscreet minister, against men, whose chief offence has been that of speaking the truth, and whose only object was the restoration of those rights, which corruption, gross abuse, or undue influence, has deprived them of.

But what added to the disgust, which on these occasions I have experienced, was the object these declaimers had in view. Was it the glory of God? Was it the love of virtue for virtue's sake? Alas! too often have their worldly views been discernible, and the mammon of unrighteousness proved to have been the main spring of their loyalty. The christian preacher, be assured, has no other province than that of religion and morality. He is seldom led out of his way by honorable motives, and I think, never with a beneficial effect. "God forbid," observes the excellent and much respected rector of Clayhidon, in adverting to the contest which at this time agitates the world between the cross and the crescent, at the conclusion of an useful discourse preached before the East Devon legion yeomanry cavalry, "God forbid that the pulpit should be degraded from its high and holy functions, to become an instrument for spreading political discussion, and narrow party zeal.”

The interest I feel in the welfare and prosperity of our excellent church, must be received as my apology for introducing these important subjects to the attention of the reader; and which, perhaps, by some, will be deemed foreign to the subject proposed for our consideration. That a great change, as connected with the spiritual influence of our clergy, has taken place, must be generally allowed. Many are the causes which have led to this unhappy state of things. I have endeavoured to select such only, as the most superficial observer would, I should think, at once accede to. (d)

Let us now consider the consequence of the non-residence of corporate officers. If one may

(d) When I wrote the above observations on the nonresidence of our clergy, I little thought of its extent, which I do not hesitate now to state as really appalling. I have Iately read a letter to Lord Liverpool, by Dr. Yates, whose suggestions were a principal cause of the formation of the church-building society, and the act passed for effecting the same object. I could extract from his publication some highly important statements, but I must confine myself to non-residence alone, and which is the most serious evil with which our church has at present to contend. The results of this reverend gentleman's diligent inquiries are, that one half at least, if not more, of the parochial benefices of the establishment, are without resident incumbents!! One great cause of non-residence is clearly the present lamentable system of pluralities; but other causes there are, such as reverend mayors, and reverend common council men,

be non-resident, why not the whole? And if they may reside at a short distance, why not at the extremity of the kingdom? So that the inhabitant householders of a place like Tiverton, where the elective franchise is said to be confined to the officers of the corporate body, may have their dearest interests sacrificed, and their most earnest and laudable efforts defeated, by the return of strange members to parliament, by electors still more strange to them; neither of whom may have any more feelings in common with them, than with the islanders of Scilly and Orkney. Surely these consequences are monstrous and absurd in the extreme.

I would again ask, if the present system of our corporate officers be sanctioned, what could prevent any one, possessing influence sufficient, (and such I have been told was once the case) mustering fifteen or sixteen complete dependants, upon whom he could thoroughly rely, to perform all the functions of the corporation, although not one of them lived in the town or parish? If the corpo

&c. which encourage this alarming state of things, and to which I shall ever feel it a duty to exert my feeble, though sincerest opposition. I beg strongly to recommend Dr. Yates' publication to the perusal of all those, who have the power and the heart to assist, in effecting the great object of improving the pastoral efficiency of our venerable establishment.

rate officer need not have house or home, need not be rated to any single tax, nor bear any office connected either with the state, the town, or the parish, but merely requires the fiat of some great man, what could prevent his own domestic servants from becoming "the honestest and discreetest of our town and parish?" Or should this great man be a clergyman of the church of England, although beneficed in a distant diocese, what could prevent, as vacancies occur, his applying for reverend associates, beneficed also in Gloucestershire, Durham, Bristol, London, or elsewhere, to assist him in the return of the two members for Tiverton, and to perform all the duties which attach to the representation of the trading or commercial interests of our town; and, if necessary, by way of postscript, add, "residence not necessary?" Can such absurd results be even practicable under any system which is worthy to be called a part of the English law? And is not any system, indeed, which admits the possibility of such shocking inconsistencies, stampt with the marks of usurpation? Can this be a part of that constitution which most justly and emphatically has been held out to be "the envy of the world?" Oh! no, no.

Lex Angliæ non patitur absurdum. Equitate gaudet :-appetit perfectum est norma recti.

But happy are we, our charter has not left us

in a state so perilous. We are to have corporate officers who must be inhabitants. And here I beg to say a few words on the subject of nonresident mayors, and the election of such as are non-residents, to fill the offices of magistracy in the town and parish. I am aware, that many in Tiverton, conceive such irregularities will operate as a forfeiture of the charter, and I have been told, several opinions were lately taken on this point. It must be confessed on all sides, that such an appointment is a gross deviation from the charter; and without doubt, on application to the court of king's bench, such elections would be set aside. But before such judgment of amotion, these are magistrates de facto, though not de jure, and all acts done by them in their magisterial capacities, would be good and binding. The act 11th, George I. c. 4. enacted, "That if in any city, borough, or town corporate, no election should be made of the mayor, &c. on the day, or within the time appointed by charter, or usage for such election, or such election being made, should afterwards become void, whether such omission or avoidance should happen through the default of the officer, or officers, who ought to hold the court or preside, where such election was to be made, or by any accident or other means whatever, the corporation should not thereby be deemed or taken to be dissolved." And in section 2 of the same act, it was further enacted, "That, if no such