The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1805-05-22 00:00:00

STIPENDIARY CURATES.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the order
for going into a Committee en this Bill, and on the
question being put for the Speaker's leaving the
Chair;
Lord PORCI!ESTF.R opposed it, as a measure
which would make a rapid stride towards ecclesia.ti-
cal reform, and as it would affed the life-interest of
incumbents. It would not be denied that the revenues
of the church were as much private property as any
other tenures, subjed only to the condition that the
clerical duties should be properly performed. If
the incumbents, therefore, were not culpah'e, their
rights should not be affeded; and if they found pro-
per substitutes to perform their duty when circum-
stances rendered them incapable of doing so them-
:else., it was as much as Parliament had a light to
exped of them. By the lxw hitherto in force, the
power of the Bishop was limited to an allowance of
501. or at most 751. to curates, according to circum-
stances, and lie did not hear that any application
had been made by Curates, stating that they had not
a proper allowance, or by Bishops that they had not
sufficient power to grant it to them. There was no
proof either that the incumbents did not provide pro-
per persons to perform the necessary fondions ; and
he would, therefore ask, what occasion there was for
this Bill? lithe measure went upon an erropeous prin-
ciple, he was aware of nothing which could do away
that objedion. This innovation went to no less than
to give to Curates three times the salary that they

...

were allowed before, and inGoitely mote than yt
necessary for providing subuotutes. By this Eli
the power of the Bisltt p would he erortYt int ;
if he thought it righs to ;ids, n or • than elle (
late, he might appropriate 0. ,s third of t'le vet,,
income of the ii:cum!iumr.. liege were. he under
stood, some ri.o.)rirs of 3,0031. :heard and surely •
would be [repo.: eh ous to deprive the person wh
held such a riving of 1,0001. a-year, for the rier
p nes of curacy. The legislators had :dread.
amerced the iticumbents for non-residence, And it
was rather too hard- to lay this second fine uplift
them. He strongly objected to such drcisive au
thruire being given to bishops, and the more so, a,
the Bill lett no appeal whatever from the:r fiat,
hut to the Archbishop of Canterbury. If
such
ina principle
wse wiaspmrlodcell'ideeco proceeded
an' a Bishop with.
more uncontroul.
able despot than any First Consul or Emperor of
the French. It was defective also. as it gate no
security that the Curate thus amply rovided for
should himself be resident upon his cure; it
did not authorise the Bishops in that respect to
do good, and gave them. every power of doing ir.
jury to the incumbent it did ruler to accomplish
the toile& that was professedly wl propo by i•
and, if it was thought right to institute
ecclesiastical reform, it should be done opera.,
and not in so indirea a mantle,. He considered
the measure to be connea.rd with circumstances
of extreme cruelty, in obl•ging the Vicar tonialre
great sacrifices to the detriment of his family,
When grown old in the service of the church
The Pialiament bad, some time since, decided, t
a man who took to priest's orders. could ncr, after.
wards, turn his attention to other pursuits ; and. as
the present measure would tend to deprive yeeth tf
its prospects, and age of its support, he should resit
the motion for the Speaker's leaving the Chair.
Mr. I. 11. BROWN E defended the general prin-
ciple of the Bill, and thought, that all tle iihjeftioas
made to it were such as might be obviated in the
Committee.

_ .......
Mr. WESTERN said, he had, on a former oc-
casion, shortly stared his reasons for not approvirg
this bill, and he would now, as Welly as possible,
repeat his objt-Ctions to it. He thought it was as
attack and infringement on the properey of the
clergy, which the House h id not a right to make.
He thought also, that vestim. a power in the Hi.
shop to give away so much of revennes of the
Rettor, as one-fifth of the value of his livele, was
subjetting the more opulent members of the Caurels
to a too great dependence on the Bishops. Fox
these reasons he should objea to the Speakees leaf.
ing the Chair.
Mr. BURTON spoke in favour of the bill. 1k
said, the house, ;he glebe, the tythes, and other
property, were not the objetts cf the bill ; the teal
objeas were, the duties of the Reaor, anti these
were very necessary to be attended to. Nothing
could so much ensure their duo performanee, as the
residence of the Bettor or Vicar ; and if he did net
reside there, there should certainly be a regular and
ample provision for the person who officiated
in his place, and performed his sacred duty :
which did not merely %%insist in read' eeg pray.
els. preaching, visiting the sick, marrying per.
sons, &c. but also in keeping up a respect able snit
social hospitality, and distributing alms in tie
neighbourhood. It had been objesited that Clercs.
visions in this Bill were of a novel nature, an,: the
Noble L had said it was a relorm in the clerical
system. The Hon. Members, however, svho se?.
posed this, were certainly mistaken. In very old
times, indeed, this power had b-en vested ix the
Bishops. As it would b: easy t obvi.:le many ob.
jeclions, and to render ttie Bill more agreeable to
all parties its a Committee, he should certainly von
for the Speaker's leaving the Chair.
Mr. C. W. 11'YNN el said, he thought these
were some parts of the Bill which were highly oh-
jettionable ; but as these might be mouifie t, temet-
ed, or totally altered, he certainly should vine that
the Bill go to a CoMmittO. •
Mr. BA RILVM was against the Bill ; he thought
it would diminish the value of Its-legs, and it was
therefore a direct violation of property. Another
objeStion to it whit him was, that it very much in-
creased the purer of the Bishops. It had been a 4
there was nn danger with them of that being abus-
ed. He had as high and respetlful an opinion d
the Bishops of this country as any man could has ,
and believed them to be very good men, and
honnura:,le charaCters. lie should, therelore, vas'
against the Speaker leaving the Chaii.
Mr. I•ELLOWLS (Norwich) said he highly ap-
proved the Bill, though there were some parts of it
which he hoped to see improved in the Committee.
Mr. PITT declared himself a decided friend to
the Bill, and he was therefore desirous it should d.
rely go into a Committee, where any ohjeitines
might be removed by alteration and modieeatts.
Ile thought every Honourable. Member Inuit bs
convinced of the vast importance of promoting
and enforcing, as far us the nature of the cao
will permit, the residence of the retaars, L.
in their several parishes. Nothing could -o
much tend to promote religion, and to iecite
and establish loyalty and attachment to Le
constitution and the Sovereign, and where, frtNe
haviog mere livings than one—having deaneries,
prebendaries, and various other causes, re tors ce
vicars could not reside themselves, it was certain',
desirable that proper curate, should be subs:itutet,
and that those persons so officiatiog and resident.
should be duly provided for. The sum to be al-
lowed was, at the utmost, not more than a fifth.
and this was only out of livings of 4001 a year owl
upwards ; all below were already provided fort
and those higher ones could certainly afford it
zt
well or better titan the othets. For these reasons he
should certainly vote, that the Speaker leave the
Chair.
The Question being called for, a division teak
place—Ayes 57—Noes e3.—Majority S.
The House, immediately resolved itself into 3
Committee.
On our re.entrance into the Gallery, we found.
Sir JOHN WRO rPESLEY making objetheel
to the first clause ; on which, after some convent-1,
tion between Lord Potearsez a, the Artoes,
GLNERAL. Mr. Carevv and Sir W. Scot',
vision took place, and OPe, gallery was not ore-.
agaVin.
and lte
h report
was) theHouorderedse
we
o
Adjourned at Ten o'clock. bettrtetcheriovnegd.h the

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THE B,RITISH PRESS.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22.

some of our contemporaries have repeated a tale,
of which the following is an extrsal :—" A very
seriots miNuilderstanding has lately arisen between
ti!, courts of Berlin and Stockholm, the cause of
whirls is said to be the vigorous and honourable
adopted by the King of Sweoew, in con-
measure
aquence of the PRVSSIAM MONARCH'S having ac-
opted the newly.instituted order of the Legion of
Honour from the impure hands of BONATARTE.
Upon the first official intelligence of an occurrence
so little honourable to Sovereigns, Curl. alms the
I:,,urth, without hesitation, dispatched a missive to
Berlin, returning the Order of the Black Eagle to
the King of PRUSSIA. with a declaration, " that he
could no longer wear the Order of a Prince who
wore that of M. Bort AAAAA e!" Last night we re.
tired, we believe err-blued', Gottenburgh Papers,
to the Ii th invent, which enable us to contradidt
this pretty romantic story, and explain the real cause
of mirenderstanding between the Courts of Berlin
ami Stockholm. It is well known that the King of
SHOES, some time ago, seat a body of troops into
Swedidi Pomerania, which was regarded in all the
political circles as the advanced guard of the new
Northern Confederacy, destined to take the field
azainst the French. The King of Noss' a, we un-
derstand, viewed this measure with a jealous eye, as
implying a dmbt and suspicion of the fairness of his
midst.% as Protenor of the North of Germany. He
remonstrated, and it became the subject of a long di.
Flematie correspondence between the two Courts,
the rest& of which was, an agreement on the put
of Sweden to withdraw her troops, and march
them into Sconia, under pretence of forming a
summer camp there. This, and not the white eagle
nor the black eagle, has been th, real cause of
misunderstanding between Sweden and Prussia.—
The order for withdrawing the troops is formally
announced in the Swedish Papers of the 10th
stem ; and thus, instead of a quarrel, we have to an-
nounce the adjustment of a dispute between these
two Powers.

We understand, t. at Government received ad-
vices on Monday, stating that Lord NELSON had
passe 1 the Straits of Gibraltar with his whole fleet
es tth ult. The almewaw frigate spoke them
nn that day under a press of sail.
Dispatches were yesterday received at the Ad-
miralty from his Lord,hip. We understand being of
opin.on that the Combined Fleets of the enemy are
destined for Ireland 7 he placed hi Itself in such a
situation, that, in the event of their direaing dear
course thither, he is in hopes of falling in with
them. It i,, however, probable, that, before this
ume, his Lordship hos been informed of the return of
the Combined Fleets into Cadiz.

Commodore Hoots was to leave Barbadoes for
England soon after the last accounts came away.
Sir 11011 IE PCAPHAVeII Committee are exyeeed to
close their examinations this day or o-morrow.
A letter from Cadiz, dated April 4, says, " Gen.
TM:avast; is still here, and is much consulted in all
our movements. Ile said, the other day, That if
he could not take Gibraltar, he would render it not
word, the keeping to the English ; and we expel
that virile serious attempts to barn the town and the
shipping as ill be made in the course of the summer."
Yesterday the I.' Acia, a large Spanish prize
from South America, laden with tallow and hides.
entered the London Docks under Spanish Colours,
'with an English ensign at top.
A letter horn Gibraltar, of the sth April, says,
6' General Fox is extremely assiduous in adopting
every measure for preventing the appearance of the
late horrible pestilence here again."
On Monday there was a great hustle at Ports-
mouth among the transports bound on the expedi-
twu,, indicative of their immediate sailing.
Admiral CoNNw %Lt.'s lett town yesterday for
Plymouth, to resume the command of the Cuannel
Fleet.

The Pi/genes, ESCOTT, from Pillau; the Tiseirr,
RICII•RDSOM. from !blew] ; al.d the Lawdae,
Dtsrf rk, from Albeingh ; all bound to London,
sailed from Elsinore on the 8;h instant, under con-
voy of the Mercator armed ship (arrived at the
Note), and paned the nest day in a heavy gale and
.bat weather.
'The two lugger.privateers, which were cruising
off Dover. on the loth, were at anchor under Cape
Crimes on the 18th, watched by some of Admiral
Dunotas's squadron, and it is not likely they will
escape to mils: again. The enemy's flotilla remain
within the piers of Boulogne, Vimereuz, and Am.
bletewse, watched by the Dungeness squadron,
which consists of upwards of fitly sail of ves-els.
It has been insidiously insinvat.d, that Sir JOHN
Os no: was ordered to strike his Hag, in consequence
of his retiring with his sqviadron irem before Ca-
diz. We cannot he contradieted when we assert,
rhat Sir Joins Danz, on Thursday evening, struck
his flag, at All fl2ll requell, made a fortnight before
the blockade cif Cadiz was raised.—Alistiley's Parts-

lest• ;day • the Master and Wardens of the Corn.
pally of Batters waited upon the Right Hon. the
I itso Mc vatx at the M.lnsintt House to set the
A A.Ze igd" Bread ; •when his Lordship, after ea-
a•mning the Mealweighers returns for the Last week,
was under the necessity of ordering the assize to
c ultimate AS last we •k, viz. Quartern loaf wheaten,
Is. to household, Is. OW.

a ... ..

PANTHEON MASQUERADE.

Those who delight in the gay and fascinating
bustle of this species of amusement must have been

highly gratified at the Pantheon on Mor.day night.
The Proprietor spared no pains nor expence. I lie
rooms were lighted up in the most superb stile, with
four large globes of variegated lamps ; the pillars
and pannels of the gallery were entirely covered
with similar lights, richly festooned entirely roind
the room. From the centre of the ceiling, hung a

large inflated balloon, painted in green waves, and
a rich border at top. The orchestra was well
filled, an a company of Savoyard, played at
intervals in different parts of the room. The
supper rooms, four in number, were laid out with
taste and elegance. The tables were abnndantly
supplied with every delicacy of the season, and the
attendance was excellent. The wine (Port and
Sherry) was infinitely better than is usually sup-
plied at public entertainments, and it did not ap-
pear the company were limitted to quantity, as no
charge was made after the purchase of the ticket.
At twelve o'clock most of the company were AS•
sembled, in number about 500. At half past one
the bell rang for supper, and, in an hour after, the
great room was again crowded with the moth,
throng ; same having again resumed their former
charaaers ; some having assumed new ones, and
some unmasked. At three coffee was served out
in the great room, and shortly after the company
began to retirt, but many remained till near five.
The CharaCters were more numerous than we
usually observe at public Masquerades. Those
which attraaed most attention were a Gerry WO-
seas, extremely well dressed ; this lady's knowledge
of many persons present made all curious to
know who she was, but to no effaa—she disap-
peared without unmasking. An excellent Peet-
starlet Baehr talked more and faster than any
person iu the room, and skewed, in conversation and
actions, before and at supper, a more than common
knowledge ro discovering the dainty bats.
dranken.llainbcgs.r, remarkably well masked, sup-
ported the charaaer in a superlative style, and
proved himself A keen shaver.
There was also a flar/e/ula witbont a Co/am:kat ;
a SaWar without grog, Pal, or bistarit ; a Baker •
without bread ; a Lawyer without either brief, hag,
or brains ; a Doctor without patients ; k Jew with-
out money ; a Se-eant without a place ; a Hamlet,
who could neither " suit the a':tion o the word,'
nor " the word to the anion."
About four o'clock a party of Watchmen came in,
who, by bawling the hour, and springing their
rattles, warned even the most enthipiastic admirers
of this medley scene, that the time for parting had
arrived.