were for the rate, 179; against the rate, At the 146; majority for the rate, 33. final close of the poll, on Saturday, the numbers were-for the rate, 218; against it, 178; majority for the church-rate, 39. This is a remarkable triumph of the church, when it is considered how many of the victims of the New Poor Law had been recently, through its harsh operation, placed on the rate-book for the merest hovels; and these could not be induced to think but that by giving their votes against the rate in question, they were relieving themselves from rates altogether.-Ibid.

MIDDLESEX.

On October 8, the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London held his triennial visitation at the cathedral of St. Paul. The sermon was preached by the Rev. George Croly, D.D.-Times.

PARISH OF ST. BOTOLPH, BISHOPSGATE. -On the 27th of September, a vestry was held in the church of this parish to make a church-rate; also a rate for paying the interest due on the annuities granted in the 35th year of the reign of his Majesty King George III., for the relief and maintenance of the poor; the Rev. J. Russell, D.D., rector, in the chair. After some discussion, a fourpenny rate was carried.

CHAPLAIN OF WESTMINSTER, BRIDEWELL.-At the court held on Oct. 12, at the Westminster sessions, for the transaction of county business, a motion was made by Charles A. Tulk, Esq., seconded by Mr. Amyot and Mr. M'William, that the salary of the Rev. H. G. Hine, Chaplain of Westminster Bridewell, should be increased from 250l. to 3651. a year, and carried; there being, on the shew of hands, eight for and three against it.— Herald.

The Earl of Shrewsbury has given 1000l. towards the erection of a catholic chapel in St. George's Fields.

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (SOMERSET HOUSE.) The Rev. Connop Thirlwall and Dr. Jerrard have been appointed Examiners in Classics; Professor Brande, in Chemistry; Professor Henslow, in Natural History; and George B. Jerrard, Esq., and the Rev. Robert Murphy, in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. The matriculation examination is to commence on the first Monday in November.- Conservative Journal.

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new National Free-schools for the parish of St. Mary, Haggerstone, was performed by the Right Hon. Sir John Cowan, Lord Mayor, in the presence of the Lady Mayoress and

between six and seven hundred of the clergy and leading families of the neighbourhood.-Times.

It appears, from a statement presenting a summary of the proceedings for effecting the voluntary commutation of tithes in each county of England and Wales, up to that period, has been-notices of meetings, 7012; agreements received, 2252; agreements confirmed, 1357; apportionments received, 386; apportionments confirmed, 76.-Ibid.

NORFOLK.

NORWICH. The Dean and Chapter have resolved materially to augment the stipends of the minor canons, and also of the lay clerks in the cathedral.

Sunday, Sept. 23d, being the day fixed upon for the re-opening of the church of St. Simon and St. Jude, in Norwich, that church was completely filled at an early hour with a most respectable congregation. The Lord Bishop of Norwich having taken his seat, the service for the day was read by the Rev. John Owen. At the conclusion of the Communion Service, his lordship delivered a most excellent and energetic sermon, taking for his text 1 Cor. xiv. 12. After the sermon, a collection was made for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred -County Paper.

CHURCH RATES.-A meeting has been held at St. George's, Colegate parish, Norwich, for the purpose of laying the parish accounts before them, unpaid by the last church wardens, as well as an estimate of the sum required for the repairs of the church at present necessary. The churchwarden stated, that he had received an order from the archdeacon to colour and clean the church, and he in consequence called upon the parishioners to grant a rate of 1s. 11d. in the pound, to discharge the old accounts, to meet the necessary repairs, and the incidental expenses up to Michaelmas, amounting in all to 674 Os. 84d. A discussion took place, which' ended in an amendment on the motion for a rate being carried for adjourning the consideration of the same until that day twelve months.-Times.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

On Oct. 10, the Archbishop of York, who is now in his 83d year, confirmed 500 Nottingham persons in Nottingham. Journal.

YORK.-The archbishop has assigned the whole of the south ward to the incumbent of Christ Church, Newark, and his successors for ever, as an ecclesiastical district, for the purpose of the visitation

of the sick, and all other pastoral duties, according to the tenour of the act 1 and 2 William IV., c. 38, under which the church was erected. The borough of Newark is divided into east, north, and south wards; the district assigned contains about one-third of the population of the borough, and is that ward in which the church stands. Christ Church is a perpetual curacy, embracing all the advantages of a parish church, in which both sacraments are administered, and all other services of the church duly performed. Lincoln Mercury.

ELSTON. The parish church of Elston, near Newark, lately rebuilt at the sole expense of W. B. Darwin, Esq., the lord of the manor and patron of the living, was opened on the 27th of September; on which occasion a large concourse of people were assembled, among whom were the children of the village, suitably clothed by the bounty of Mrs. Darwin. The Rev.

Harrison, the rector, delivered an appropriate sermon.-Nottingham Journal. At Lenton, Nottinghamshire, a vestry meeting has been held for the purpose of submitting a church-rate to the approval of the parishioners, to meet the expenses of repairing the church-yard wall, and whitewashing, cleaning, and repairing the church. A ninepenny rate was intended to have been proposed, but only a halfpenny rate was moved, and this was met by an amendment that it should be postponed for twelve months. The amendment was carried; but a number of dissenters, who disapproved of a compulsory rate, expressed their readiness to subscribe towards the sum required for repairs and whitewashing.-Times.

OXFORDSHIRE.

PEWS IN CHURCHES.-As pews in old churches have sometimes been sold in this city, the following paragraph, copied from a London evening paper, may probably prevent a repetition of this illegal practice: "As it has been a constant practice to sell and buy pews in ancient parish churches, we think it may be worth while to state that the practice is totally contrary to law; and that the seller can give no title. (There is no such thing in law,' says Anderdon, as selling pews.') There is one clause in this faculty,' says Sir Wm. Scott, in the case of Stevens v. Woodhouse, which is plainly illegal-a permission to parties to sell seats; this is a practice which may have prevailed frequently, but it has been constantly discountenanced by this court.

Pews may be sold in chapels which are private property, but in old parish churches such VOL. XIV.-Nov. 1838.

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acts are contrary to the law of the land.' Dr. Phillimore says, It appears that the pews in this church have been bought and sold, and bequeathed by will; and that the grantee has considered he might deal with them as with an estate held in fee-simple. These notions are perfectly erroneous. The sale of pews in a parish church is invalid and illegal. As it is unlawful for private individuals to sell, so is it unlawful for them to let pews. The disposal of pews rests with the churchwardens, who are the officers of the bishop.' The distribution of the seats,' says Sir John Nicholl, rests with the ordinary (the bishop); the churchwardens are his officers, and they are to place the parishioners according to their rank and station.' It is evidently an illegal custom,' says Sir William Scott, that pews appurtenant to certain houses should be let by the owners to persons who are not inhabitants. If a pew is rightly appurtenant, the occupancy of it must pass with the house.'From all this,' Anderdon says, it is clear that the owner of a pew cannot let it out for rent; for seats do not belong to persons not inhabitants; and if a parishioner entitled to a pew, does not use it, it returns to the disposal of the churchwardens. It is also an erro. to suppose that pews are appurtenant to land; they are only appurtenant to houses. if the house falls, the appurtenancy ceases. the occupier does not go to church, the churchwardens may place another parishioner in the pew." "Oxford Herald.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

If

The Annual General Meeting of the Bath and Wells' Diocesan Church Building Association, and a meeting for the formation of a Diocesan Association of the Society for promoting the employment of additional curates in populous places, were held at Wells on Wednesday. The report of the Church Building Association for the past year notices the gratifying fact, that the annual subscriptions have increased from 436l. 5s. 6d, to 5081. 3s. ; and since the previous meeting, the aggregate funds have increased from 78691. to 92421.-Salisbury Herald.

In addition to the sum of 16031. already raised in the Bath district for the Curates' Fund Society, upwards of 400l. were subscribed in the room on the occasion of the late public meeting at Wells. - Bath Herald.

On the 21st of Sept. the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, assisted by the venerable Archdeacon of Wells, attended by a very numerous body of his clergy, solemnized

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the consecration of the church recently erected in the town of Frome. This church is intended almost wholly for the accommodation of the poor of that populous town, and is called Trinity Church.-Ibid.

On Thursday, the 4th Oct., the new Chapel of Ease at East Horrington, in the parish of St. Cuthbert, Wells, was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of the diocese, accompanied by a numerous body of clergy. A most appropriate sermon was preached on the occasion by the Rev. S. Blackall, prebendary of Wells and rector of North Cadbury. The collection in aid of the building and consecration expenses amounted to nearly 45l.-Bath Chronicle.

The

CHILCOMPTON BAZAAR.-The bazaar in aid of the re-building of Chiicompton church took place on 11th Oct. attendance was numerous, amounting to about 300, including most of the leading gentry of the neighbourhood. The clear return of money amounted to 150l.-Somerset Courant.

STAFFORDSHIRE.

SMETHWICK.- This church was consecrated on Sept. 11, by the Bishop of Lichfield. It was completely filled, including the aisles. The bishop was received at the west door by the Rev. Chancellor Law, the Rev. J. Hargreaves, his son, the Rev. H. Clarke (rector of Northfield), the Rev. E. Dales, the Rev. T. G. Simcox, (the incumbent of the church), the Rev. J. A. Baxter, the Rev. F. T. Blackburne, the Rev. R. B. Hone, the Rev. W. Gordon, and many other clergymen; by the committee, by the principal inhabitants, and by the children of the charity schools at Harborne and Smethwick.-Ten Towns' Mercury.

SUFFOLK.

The Bury town-council, on the motion of Mr. Eagle, passed a resolution against the two clergymen of that town continuing to preach against the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith. The Rev. Messrs. Hastid and Haggitt have written to the corporation, stating their sorrow at differing from the council in opinion, but as the funds were left distinctly for preaching sermons every quarter, demonstrating the errors of the tenets of the Romish church, they, with every respect for the professors of catholicism, and forbearance towards their particular and conscientious belief, felt that they were bound to preach the sermons on the same subject as heretofore. Mr. Eagle, on the meeting of the council, expressed his disapproval of the interference of the rev. gentlemen upon the subject, declared their letter to be a direct

SURREY.

CHRIST CHURCH.-This church, situated in the Blackfriars' Road, which bas long stood in need of some very substantial repairs, was closed on Sunday, 7th October, and is to remain so for three months, while it undergoes a thorough cleansing, repairing, and beautifying, the expenses of which are to be defrayed jointly by the trustees of Marshall's gift and the churchwardens, out of a rate of two-pence in the pound, lately granted by the inhabitants. The repairs would have been commenced much earlier but for the refusal of a rate by the vestry. The friends of the church, however, bestirred them. selves a few weeks since, and, after two days' polling of the whole parish, carried the rate by a large majority.-Herald.

The nave of the fine old church of St. Saviour's, Southwark (which has long since fallen into ruin), is to be restored, and accommodation will be thereby afford. ed for 2000 of the parishioners. Great efforts were made by the liberals and dissenters to negative a proposition for ef fecting the restoration by rates levied on the parish, but these efforts were defeated, on taking a poll, by a majority of 113 votes.-Times.

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CHURCH RATES. The parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark, at a vestry on the 29th of September, again refused to grant a church-rate.-Ibid.

A numerous and highly-respectable meeting of the gentry residing at Croydon and the neighbourhood, who are interested in the propagation of the Gospel among the Irish people through the medium of their native language, was held at the Town-hall on the 1st of September, in the evening, in aid of the Irish society established for that purpose. The Rev. Henry Lindsay, vicar of Croydon, presided. The Rev. Mr. Beamish, the Rev. Mr. Gubbins, and other gentlemen, detailed the results of the society's labours, and ably advocated its claims on the support of the religious public. A considerable sum, in aid of the funds of the society, was collected in the course of the evening. -Surrey Standard,

SUSSEX.

SHORFHAM. An adjourned restry meeting has been held here for the pur

pose of making a church-rate. At the original meeting the anti-church party mustered sufficiently strong to carry an adjournment, but at the subsequent vestry meeting the rate was carried by a considerable majority.-Sussex Express.

WARWICKSHIRE.

The first stone of a proposed new episcopal chapel at Leamington was laid on the 5th of October by J. W. Sherer, Esq., assisted by the Rev. Wm. Marsh, M.A, and Mr. Edwin Woodhouse. The site is the gift of Edward Willes, Esq.-Leamington Paper.

church, in the extra-parochial district of the Blockhouse, has erected two schoolhouses at the church gates for the accommodation of the boys and girls attending the Sunday schools of that church. The buildings have been completed at the sole expense of the rev. gentleman, and at a assembled in the church to the number of cost of upwards of 150l. The children 150, to celebrate the opening of the rooms. They were addressed in an affectionate and familiar style by their reverend benefactor, and afterwards by the Rev. W. A. Pruen. They were subsequently regaled with an excellent dinner of roast-beef and

several zealous churchmen to endeavour to raise money by subscription to erect ten additional churches in the town of Birmingham.-Birmingham Advertiser.

WILTSHIRE.

The general committee of the Salisbury Diocesan Church Building Association held their quarterly meeting on the 2nd of October, at Salisbury, which was attended by the very reverend the dean (in the chair); Rev. Charles Wrottesley, Rev. W. Dancey, Rev. W. E. Honey, Edward Hinxman, Esq., Rev. F. W. Fowle, and the Rev. G. P. Lowther, secretary. The advantage of this society is manifesting itself in all parts of the diocese, and we trust that its funds will be materially in creased at the annual general meeting of the subscribers, which will be held at the end of this month in this town, when the lord lieutenant of the county has signified his readiness to be in the chair.

LONDON SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE JEWS.-The Salisbury Auxiliary to the above society held their eighth anniversary meeting at the council chamber, on Wednesday morning last, the 3rd of October. The chair was taken a little before twelve o'clock, by the very reverend the Dean of Sarum. On this occasion the Rev. J. C. Reichardt, missionary to the Jews, attended as a deputation from the parent society.Hants Advertiser.

The Lord Bishop of Winchester consecrated the new church, at Westend, near this town, on Tuesday, in the presence of a large number of persons. The church had been licensed for divine service some months since, but not until now consecrated. Salisbury Herald.

dinner was provided by the subscriptions of a few ladies and gentlemen who felt an interest in the benevolent design so bap. pily carried out by the reverend founder of the schools.-Worcester Guardian.

YORKSHIRE.

(From a Correspondent.)-At a meeting of the clergy and laity of the neighbourhood of Doncaster, convened by circular from the archdeacon, and held in the vestry of the parish church of Doncaster, on the 15th of October, the venerable the Archdeacon of York in the chair:

Resolved, That a board of education be formed, in connexion with the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the principles of the Established Church, to comprise the Doncaster call of the archdeaconry, for the purpose of promoting education in the principles of the established church, and extending, where it may be advisable and possible, the system of instruction at present provided.

That every clergyman officiating within the prescribed limits be a member of the board, and that the following laymen be also members:- Sir. W. B. Cooke, Bart., Sir F. L. Wood, Bart., W. B. Wrightson, Esq., M P., J. W. Childers, Esq., M.P., R. F. Wilson, Esq., P. D. Cooke, Esq, W. Walker, Esq., R. Wrightson, Esq., G. Cooke, Esq., E. Denison, Esq., R. J. Coulman, Esq., Capt. Elmsall, G. Yarborough, Esq., G. Broadrick, Esq., R. F. Freeman, Esq., W. Hurst, Esq., S. F. Wood, Esq, and J. S. Bower, Esq.

That the archdeacon be president. The mayor of Doncaster, and vicar of Doncaster for the time being, together with Sir W. B. Cooke, Sir F. L. Wood, W. B. Wrightson, Esq., J. W. Childers, Esq., R. F. Wilson, Esq., and P. D. Cooke, Esq., be vice-presidents; and that the

Rev. A. B. Wrightson, Esq., and R. Baxter, Esq., be appointed secretaries.

That circulars be immediately drawn up, and forwarded to the clergyman of each parish, to obtain returns of the number and state of the schools within the district.

That the secretaries be requested to notify the formation of the board to the National Society.

That this meeting stand adjourned to a day to be named by the secretaries, when the returns asked for shall have been received.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS.-A public meeting was held at the Town Hall, Ripon, on Oct. 6th, in aid of the above society, which was numerously and respectably attended, not only by the inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood of Ripon, but also by several of the gentry and clergy of Bowbridge, Knaresborough, Pately Bridge, and other parts of the county. On the motion of the very rev. the Dean of Ripon, the Lord Bishop of the diocese took the chair.-After some admirable speeches by the right hon. the vice chancellor of England, the Rev. W. Grey, the Rev. A. M. Campbell, secretary to the Parent Society in London, the Rev. J. Whitside, the Rev. the Dean of Ripon, the Rev. Mr. Charge, and the Rev. Mr. Stewart, a collection was made at the doors by the Rev. J. Charnock, and others, which amounted to the large sum of 501. 2s. 6d. -York Gazette.

On Oct. 1st, the first stone of the episcopal palace for the diocese of Ripon was laid in that city by the Lord Bishop. The day was kept as a general holiday in Ripon, and all ranks appeared to join in praise and good-will towards the excellent bishop.

A Diocesan Association "in aid of building, enlarging, and endowing churches," has recently been formed in the diocese of Ripon.

NEWTON-UPON-OUSE.-On 17th Sept., the first stone of this church was laid by the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Downe; Lady Downe and a party of friends from Beningbrough Hall attended. A large concourse of persons from York and the adjacent villages assembled to witness the interesting ceremony. The Rev. J. Gatenby offered up a very appropriate prayer. Lord Downe gave orders for the workmen to be regaled at his expense.

CHURCH-RATE CARRIED AT MIRFIELD. -On the 6th of Sept., a rate of one penny in the pound, for the repairs and other

expenses of the church at Mirfield, was carried without opposition. This return to a proper feeling towards the church of our fathers is the more pleasing, as it bas, for many years, been found impossible to obtain in this populous parish, even the smallest rate for such a purpose.- Leeds Intelligencer.

Mr. Berthon is about to build a new church at Bradford, at his own expense; the site fixed on is in the centre of three methodist chapels, and five other dissenting ones. -Halifax Guardian.

On the 3rd of Oct., the foundation-stone of the new place of worship, to be called Christ Church, about to be erected near Gleadless, in the parish of Handsworth, was laid by Hugh Parker, Esq., of Woodthorpe, in the said parish. Addresses, having reference to the occasion, were delivered by the venerable Archdeacon Corbett, the Rev. W. A. Shirley, of Whiston, and by Mr. Parker.-Sheffield Mercury.

On Thursday, the 4th of Oct., the ceremony of consecrating the church which has been erected in the romantic village of Fullwood, near Sheffield, by the munificence of Miss Silcock, of Whiteley Wood Hall, was performed by his Grace the Archbishop of York.-York Herald.

DR. CORBETT.-A most respectable meeting was lately held at Barnsley, "for the purpose of considering in what way they could substantially mark their sense of those valuable services which, as a magistrate, the Venerable Archdeacon Stuart Corbett, D.D., has conferred on that district." The result was, a resolution that "the valuable services of Dr. Corbett, as a magistrate, in this riding, whether they respect his extraordinary diligence and ability in the maintenance of order, the strict regard to equity which has influenced his decisions to all classes, or the faithful and energetic manner in which he has enforced the law, during periods of riot and alarm, for a period of above thirty years, demand some direct manifestation of gratitude from the inhabitants of this town and neighbourhood." This manifestation is to consist of a portrait of the Rev. Doctor, to be painted by Briggs, and placed in the court house. We understand that the subscription is filling rapidly.

WALES.

CLERICAL TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT.The parishioners of Bangor and others, admirers of the professional zeal and private worth of the Rev. James Henry