mind has been abused; and the desire for authentic information is daily gaining ground. In justice, then, to those distinguished persons, to this noble House, and to the public at large, I feel it my duty to state what I know to be the truth; and if, in the discharge of this duty, I can do the least service to the cause of religion and my country, I shall feel myself abundantly over-paid.

"In meeting the charges brought against the church establishment in Ireland, I have not solely, or chiefly, in view, what may have passed in this House. Much has been said out of doors, which must have acted upon those within; and, however undeserving such language may be of serious notice, that vindication would be incomplete, which did not advert to it in some degree.

"The charges themselves may be re duced under two heads. In the first place, vague and general assertions, which, from their indefinite, intangible nature, could not readily be met; and which have been reiterated in every form, and circulated through all possible channels, with a perseverance worthy of the best cause, and, I am sorry to add, with a malignity not unsuited to the worst. In the next place, individual piecemeal charges, usually preferred in the shape of petitions, in this House, and elsewhere, against absent ecclesiastical persons, without notice given, and without opportunity afforded, to themselves or to their friends, of making timely defence. I would not here be understood to cast the slightest imputation on those who have presented such petitions. I am willing to give them credit for simply intending to discharge a duty. One noble Earl in particular, I beg leave to thank, for the candour and openness with which he has done me the honour to communicate with me on this subject. But I must solemnly protest against the modern usage, rather, perhaps, against an ancient usage restored, for it was but too prevalent in the time of our first unhappy Charles, that practice, I mean, which converts the wholesome right and privilege of petition, into the vehicle of private calumny and scandal into what I can call nothing less than a privileged mode of libel; clothing, as it does, the most unfounded statements with the dignity and authority of Parliament, and thus giving them a passport to all quarters of the world, and thus securing their reception among persons who would shrink, with virtuous high-mindedness, from the contamination of ordinary libels. This nuisance, however, I believe, is likely to be abated. Many who may REMEMBRANCER, No. 68.

have, somewhat incautiously, presented such petitions, were, I am confident, not aware of the lurking mischief; and henceforward there will be greater care than heretofore, to weigh, to investigate, and to ascertain the truth of criminative charges, before they are hazarded either in this House, or elsewhere.

"For my own part, My Lords, I will freely confess, that, neither in religion nor in politics, am I a controversialist. In both departments, I am perfectly aware, controversy has answered, and will not cease to answer, very valuable purposes. But I humbly conceive, it is not the more excellent way. I have ever been of opinion, that the best mode of encountering error, is by a plain unvarnished statement of the opposite right and truth. According to this principle, I will endeavour to guide myself, in this discussion; and if, in so doing, I must forego the pungency of agonistic debate, I am still not unhopeful, that the facts which I am prepared to adduce, will, in some measure, repay the degree of attention with which I may be honoured.

"It is my purpose now to place before Your Lordships, with perfect unreserve, so far as I have been able to ascertain it, the present condition of the Irish Church; in itself, and in its bearings on the country; in residence, and in revenue; professional qualifications, efficiency and zeal; in moral, social, and civil services,--services reaching beyond the pale of any particular con.❤ munion, and bounded only by the limitation of its means and opportunities.

"In thus standing forth, the humble but earnest advocate of the Irish portion of the United Church, I do not undertake to maintain its impeccability, or its purity from all blemish. Churches, my Lords, even Apostolical Churches, founded on Divine authority, are still, in a certain sense, human institutions; and, as human institutions, are undoubtedly liable to error and imperfection, I cannot, therefore, be so absurd, as to uphold this, or any other branch of our establishment, as A faultless monster, that the world ne'er

saw,'

In a society composed of frail and finite beings, it is impossible but that offences must come. That the Irish Clergy have their share, I most unreservedly admit; but I do so in a sense which must apply to the members of every other Church, of every other institution, of equal magnitude and standing. We have our share; all that I would contend for is this, that we have not more than our share. And I

3 Q

must say, that the Irish Clergy are a most improving body. This I can myself attest from my own knowledge, acquired during five and twenty years of close and diligent attention to the subject. The improve ment has been striking, I might almost say it has been marvellous; it has also been progressive; and I see not any likelihood of its diminution. Those in authority are becoming more and more disposed to exercise a mild, but firm and efficient discipline; those under authority, more and more solicitous to approve themselves, not only to their earthly superiors, but to HIM whose commission they bear, and before whose judgment-seat they must render a strict account. This is a grave topic: and I will not pursue it further in this place. But I wish to have it distinctly understood, that I am not the apologist of any thing really amiss; that I would not diminish by a hair's breadth the standard of clerical duty; that I would not detract a scruple from that tremendous responsibility, under which all bishops and pastors occupy the places which they fill." P. 3.

The Bishop then defends the Clergy of Ireland against the charge

of non-residence.

"Respecting the question of residence, I am aware (for who, indeed, can be ignorant?) that most exaggerated statements have goue forth and been accredited. These statements profess to found themselves on the diocesan returns laid before Parliament; which returns, it must be admitted, they do frequently misquote and garble. But, more commonly, this trouble is avoided; and the information of our most strenuous opponents is derived at second-hand, from anonymous unauthoritative publications, the character of which I am not ambitious to draw; but which, I can assure your Lordships, are far better suited to the meridian of Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill, much more in their place on the counters of convicted libellers, than upon the benches of Saint Stephen's, in the purer air of Westminster. The truth, however, is, and to this point I would request particular attention, that the parliamentary reports themselves, even the best and fullest reports hitherto received, must prove fallacious guides to those who do not study them with close attention, and who are not familiarly acquainted with places and persons in Ireland. The difficulty arises, not from inaccuracy, but from want of fulness, in the several returns: and yet more from the manner in which they have been made up. The return of each diocese is given independently of all the

rest; whereas a collation of each with all, would have been indispensable, in order to a fair view of clerical residence. For the Clergyman who is absent from one benefice is generally (so few, indeed, are the exceptions, that one might almost say universally) resident upon another. An instance has lately occurred in another House, which may serve to exemplify the kind of mistakes into which persons may fall, who, without any local knowledge of Ireland, undertake to draw conclusions from the parliamentary returns, respecting the residence of the Irish Clergy. An honourable gentleman there thought proper to select a dignified Clergyman of the North of Ireland, and hold him forth to public reprehension as a most unconscion. able pluralist; as monopolizing at the same time, perferments of great value, in the diocese of Raphoe, and the diocese of Armagh. Now, what is the real state of the case? This Clergyman has a christian name, and a surname. Another Clergyman has a christian name, and a surname. The two Clergymen happened to have the same christian name, and the same surname. And from this identity of nomencla

ture, the honourable gentleman, without further inquiry, has brought the severest charges against a respectable and unoffending dignitary. To this fact I allude, at once as a specimen of the manner in which private character is trifled with; and as a case in point, to prove that per sons unacquainted with Ireland ought to inform themselves, before they make as sertions always hazardous, often not altogether reputable, to those who do not take this trouble. It is my hope, that before the commencement of next Session, this inquiry will be rendered easier, by a body of diocesan returns prepared in a more full and satisfactory manner, than any which have yet been made. And, in the mean time, I will say, that so far as my know ledge extends, those Clergymen who hold two benefices by faculty, usually reside on that benefice where their services are most needed; while on the other, they invariably retain an efficient Curate; and not uncommonly reside alternately on both preferments.

"We have heard much, my Lords, on the subject of non-residence. But what, I would ask, in the only blameable sense of the word, is a non-resident Clergyman? A Clergyman, I would reply, who wantonly deserts his appointed sphere of duty. In this sense, there are very few non-resident Clergy in Ireland. In my own diocese there is not one. And I freely admit, that one would be too many. If my definition

be a just one, (and I soberly believe it is,) your Lordships, I trust, will bear it in mind, not theoretically, but practically. Indeed, I am sure you will do so. From a British House of Peers, we are certain of just and equitable dealing. You will not measure the Clergy of England by one standard, and the Clergy of Ireland by another. No Clergyman in England is accounted a non-resident, who is actively and usefully employed in parochial duties elsewhere. I only ask, and the request surely is not unreasonable, that the Clergy of Ireland may be judged by the same rule." P. 10.

"I am quite willing therefore, so far as my knowledge extends, to enter on the subject of church property. And in the first place, a few words for episcopal property in Ireland. The Archbishop of Cashel, then, has publicly stated, that by accepting what was liberally proposed by certain modern reformers, as a curtailed income for Archbishops, of 8000l. per aunum, one Archbishop (meaning himself) 'would find his revenues considerably augmented.' I am enabled to add, from unquestionable authority, that, excepting the Lord Primate, all the Archbishops of Ireland can make a similar statement. And no friend of the Church, or of constituted authority, could wish the primacy of Ireland to be so limited.

"Respecting the suffragan bishopricks of Munster, I can speak with tolerable accuracy. The value of some is known to me; the value of others I can pretty nearly arrive at, from observing the course of episcopal translations, and applying the obvious principle, that men will not voluntarily exchange a better income for a worse. And I can safely affirm, that not one of these bishopricks exceeds in yearly value the sum of 5000l. while some are materially under that amount. My own -bishoprick is one of the higher order; and 1 should be a considerable gainer, if my annual income was fixed at 5000l. Respecting one other bishoprick, which, though not in the province of Munster, is in the southern division of Ireland, I mean the see of Ossory, I have not only been authorized, but commissioned by the Bishop, to state, that, during the eleven years of his occupancy, that see has not netted, on an average, the amount of 3500l. a year. And I know there are bishopricks of yet inferior value.

"The average yearly income of archbishopricks and bishopricks, in Ireland, taken together, was lately computed in another House, by an honourable and learned gentleman, (member for the county

of Louth,)whose accuracy in acquiting, and whose precision in communicating, numerical information, have never been questioned, at 5000l. This I believe to be a fair computation; rather, perhaps, above than below the fact. Let this now be com pared, if comparison be possible, with the vague, fluctuating rumours of our adversaries. I myself have heard persons in political life, some of them members of Parliament, not uninformed on other subjects, and by no means hostile to the Church, declare their belief, in perfect simplicity and good faith, that Irish bishopricks varied in yearly value, from fifteen to twenty, thirty, and so much as forty thousand pounds! Such has been the credulity of the public; such the advantange to a bad cause, of frontless pertinacity in misrepresentation." P. 33.

"The incomes of the parochial Clergy, it is somewhat difficult to ascertain. From the great irregularities of Irish payments, they are themselves frequently unable to calculate what they shall probably receive in any given year. From these, and other circumstances, materials are not in existence whence to form an exact average of clerical income. Availing themselves of this inherent difficulty, our adversaries have swelled, at their own discretion, the nominal revenues of our poor parochial ministers, varying the amount as they found their statements too strong to go down. At first they assumed an average of 800l.; then, by a single evolution of their calculating machinery, they bring out an average of 5001, per annum. But we have a surer ground of computation. At the beginning of the present year, about eighty parishes had compounded for their tithes, under the act of last session. The average income of these parishes was about 4001. But then, they were parishes of the higher order; and we should take a lower average for the benefices throughout Ireland. On this subject I ain, of course, not prepared to speak positively. But, from the best informa tion I have been able to procure, it is my opinion and belief, that, including the curates, (whose salaries, varying from 751. to 1007. per annum, are deducted from the receipts of the beneficed Clergy,) 2501. would be a fair average income. In the year 1786, Bishop Woodward calculated the average at 1407.: and, in stating an

"It has been publicly stated, by the highest official authority, that in the returns of settlements since made under the act of 1823, the average was of the most moderate description."

increase, since that period, of eleven twenty-fifths, I have more than made allowance for any intermediate increase of tillage, and advance of prices. On the whole, I can affirm, with full assurance of correctness, that the parochial Clergy of Ireland are by no means overpaid. And I will add, that, in their general conduct and dealing, they are by far the most moderate class of proprietors we have. If any thing, they carry indulgence to a fault; especially, in giving long credit, to their own great loss, and the ultimate disadvantage of the people. What they receive is considerably below their just right; and I am prepared to show, that they give ample value in return." P. 47.

Towards the conclusion of his Speech, the Bishop thus expresses himself upon the general state of Ireland:

"I must own, my Lords, that the present state of Ireland is not comfortable; but I am not in the least, willing to despond; on the contrary, I am full of hope. What was the state of England about four years ago? What, at that period of anxiety and perturbation, would have been said of the man who professed not to fear? Yet, by the blessing of Providence on the wisdom and firmness of the legislative and executive branches of our Government, what is now the condition of England, in commerce, in manufactures, in revenue, in the quietness, good order, and contentment of the people? All this has been effected in the space of four short years. Why then should we despair for Ireland ? Inferior as she is in the scale of civilization and prosperity, her state now is by no means so alarming as the state of England was then. Much may be fairly anticipated; and I could almost venture to prognosticate, however bold the prognostication, that more of solid improvement will take place within the next eight or ten years, than has been caused of mischief in the course of centuries. The Government has entered on a new, a happy, a most beneficial course. Let the Government but persevere (and I am confident it will persevere), and the good results will be incalculably great. In every department the most striking improvements are in progress. In the collection of the revenue, both of customs and excise, a great reform has been effected, by which, at once, the burthens of the people are diminished, and the national resources are increased. In all public offices, a system of regularity and economy has been introduced, which

was before unknown: and a plan has been formed, which will exclude all but quali fied and experienced officers from places of emolument and trust. On the bench and at the bar, the late appointments have been such as to call forth the universal approbation of the country; and to secure in perpetuity that which, by all parties, it is now admitted we enjoy, the ablest, the purest, and the most impartial administration of justice, in our superior courts of law. The inferior, but perhaps, under the circumstances of Ireland, not less important, jurisdiction of the magistracy, has been placed on a new and most improved footing, by the revision of the list of magistrates, and, more particularly, by the esta blishment of petty sessions; which, in many districts, have put an end to most flagitious practices, and, in all parts of the country, have brought home, for the first time, the operation of equal law to the very threshold of the poor man's dwelling. These improvements, especially the last improvement, (I speak from actual knowledge,) is already felt throughout the country. The local magistrates are sensible that their character is raised; the farmers and the peasantry are satisfied with the decisions which are made; and I know of instances in which the defeated party has retired with cheerfulness, under the conviction that he was fairly dealt with. Even the insurrection act, that necessary evil, has been productive of great collateral advantage. It has been the means of sending, through various parts of the country, a succession of upright, intelligent, constitutional, crown lawyers, to sit on the same bench with the magistrates, who thus receive invaluable lectures on the laws which they are bound to administer, and learn, in the general course of their decisions, to unite firmness and wisdom with moderation and humanity. should it be omitted, that in the jointtenancy bill, together with a limited, but most successful experiment of emigration to Upper Canada, a commencement has been made in the great and necessary work of checking a redundant and mutually destructive population. These, I trust, are but the beginnings of good for Ireland; and looking to these, I am in no disposition either to despair or to despond. Only let the Government persevere; let them proceed with manly firmness; let them not be moved by the murmurs of the advocates of old abuses on the one hand, or by the clamours of revolutionary agitators on the other; let them thus pursue their even, steadfast course, and we may hope the best for Ireland; and we may live to see

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