The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1803-05-12 00:00:00

~y. _~.

Sir WM. Scot' agreed to the propositi.lbf
Cite Hon. Gentleman, and amended the clause ac-
cordingly t which, after a few words from Mr.
, BRAGGE, was agreed to.
On that part of the second clause which gives
a dispensation to clerical persons from living in the
parsonage-house, when such house should be unfit
for residence,
Mr. RAINES objated to that part of the elause,
as it gave a liberty of neglecting parsonage-houses.
Sir WILLIAM SCOTT said, this ACt would
not alter the law respeCting dilapidations, and the
superintending care of the bishops still remained
the same. It only went to protect clergymen from
aCtions at law, in cases where the parsonage-
house was not a fit place for residence; many in-
stances of which the Learned Member enumerated.
' After some conversation between Mr. Dickens,
Mr. Bragge,•and Mr. Burton, the latter Gentleman
moved as an amendment, that when a Clergyman
obtained leave to reside out of the patronage-house,
he should pay to the Commissioners of Queen Anne's
Bounty the one-twentieth part of the income of his
benefice, to accumulate and be laid up for the future
repair or rebuildingof the parsonage-house.
Sir JOHN NICHOLL spoke against the amend-
ment.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
observed, that the Clergyman thus situated was an
aggrieved man already. He had a parsonage-house
unfit for his residence, in conseqUence of which he
was put to the expence of hiring a house—and then
you wish to lay a tax on him in consequence of
the inconvenience he already suffered; he thought
this would be a hard case, and was against the
amendment.
DoCtor Lawrence and Sir William Dolben were
for the amendment.

Mr. ROSE wished to have a Surveyor appointed
in each diocese, to report annually to the Bishops
on the state of such houses.
Mr. DICKENS thought the word, unfit-resi-
dence, too indefinite.
Mr. WIN! )HAM said, he would be unwilling to
press any thing that may be conceived an hardship ;
but he thought the only way to keep a parsonage
house in repair, is to have it inhabited, as the oc-
cupier would have an immediate interest in the re-
pair. They should avoid giving a facility to non-
residence in parsonage-houses.
Mr. HAWKINS BROWNE said, that though
he concurred in the principle of the Amendment
proposed by his Hon. and Learned Friend, he was
more inclined to leave the sum to be subscribed to
the discretion of the Bishops.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought some
words may be introduced to meet the opinions of
most Gentlemen. He thought no particular sum
should be specified, but that it be left to the discre-
tion of the Bishops. He therefore proposed that
these words should stand as a part of the clause—
That Bishops, on granting a licence, should do it
on terms and conditions with respea to the repair of
such buildings as the Bishops may think proper."
After a conversation, which lasted nearly for
three hours, -upported principally by the replies
made to each other from the fore-mentioned speak-
ers, and in which the original clause was strongly
supported by the Master of the Rolls,
Mr. BURTON thought that we ought to legis-
late for futurity, as well as the present moment, and
hoped that means would be taken to repair dilapi-
dations, and in the course of time, offer induce-
ments to residence, instead of non-residence.
Dr. Lawrence was for the original clause.
Mr. SPENCER STANHOPE said, he happened
to be in the situation of creditor to a Clergyman, to
whom he lent money at five per cent. but was to
have ten per cent. if the debtor did not reside upon
his living,but (if we understand him right) he added,
that the Clergyman was not eaabkd to comply with
the condition.
The conversation then became more general and
desultory than before, and at length the Committee
divided on Mr. Burton's Amendment, when the
numbers were,
For the Amendmen; 15

Against it
Majority —27
The original Clause was of course carried.
Strangers were as usual excluded from the gal-
lery on the division, and were not readmitted during
the remainder of the discussion upon various clauses,
which lasted till a-very late hour, after which the
Chairman was diretied to report progress and ask
leave to sit again.—Adjourned.