some instances not expressed with sufficient precision-we deem it expedient to separate from the text such of them as come within the scope of this report, and to present them again to your Majesty, in the more convenient form of distinct propositions; accompanied by such other suggestions as appear to us necessary to their being carried fully into execution.

PROPOSITIONS.

1. That commissioners be appointed by Parliament for the purpose of preparing, and laying before your Majesty in council, such schemes as shall appear to them to be best adapted for carrying into effect the following recom-. mendations; and that your Majesty in council be empowered to make orders, ratifying such schemes, and having the full force of law.

2. That the diocese of Canterbury consist of the county of Kent (except the city and deanery of Rochester, and those parishes which it is proposed to include in the diocese of London,) and of the parishes of Croydon and Addington, and the district of Lambeth Palace, in the county of Surrey.

3. That the diocese of London consist of the city of London and the county of Middlesex, of the parishes of Barking, East Ham, West Ham, Little Ilford, Low Layton, Walthamstow, Wanstead St. Mary, Woodford, and Chingford, in the county of Essex, all in the present diocese of London; of the parishes of Charlton, Lee, Lewisham, Greenwich, Woolwich, Eltham, Plumstead, and St. Nicholas, Deptford, in the county of Kent, and St. Paul, Deptford, in the counties of Kent and Surrey, all now in the diocese of Rochester; of the borough of Southwark, and the parishes of Battersea, Bermondsey, Camberwell, Christchurch, Clapham, Lambeth, Rotherhithe, Streatham, Tooting, Graveney, Wandsworth, Merton, Kew, and Richmond, in the county of Surrey, and present diocese of Winchester; and of the parishes of St. Mary, Newington, Barnes, Putney, Mortlake, and Wimbleton, in the county of Surrey, and in the peculiar jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury; together with all extra parochial places locally situate within the limits of the parishes above. enumerated, except the district of Lambeth Palace.

4. That the diocese of Winchester be diminished, by the transfer of the parish of Addington to the diocese of Canterbury, and of the before-mentioned parishes to the diocese of London.

5. That the whole of the parish of Bedminster be transferred from the diocese of Bath and Wells to the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol.

6. That the city and deanery of Bristol be united to the diocese of Gloucester, and that the southern part of the diocese of Bristol, consisting of the county of Dorset, be transferred to the diocese of Salisbury.

7. That the diocese of Ely be increased by the counties of Huntingdon and Bedford, now in the diocese of Lincoln, by the deaneries of Lynn and Fincham, in the county of Norfolk and diocese of Norwich, and by the archdeaconry of Sudbury, in the county of Suffolk and diocese of Norwich, with the exception of the deaneries of Sudbury, Stow, and Hartismere, and by that part of the county of Cambridge which is now in the diocese of Norwich.

8. That it be declared that the Scilly islands are within the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Exeter and of the archdeaconry of Cornwall.

9. That the sees of Gloucester and Bristol be united; and that the diocese consist of the present diocese of Gloucester, and of the city and deanery of Bristol, of the deaneries of Cricklade and Malmesbury, in the county of Wilts, and now in the diocese of Salisbury, and of the whole of the parish of Bedminster, now in the diocese of Bath and Wells.

10. That the diocese of Hereford be added to the deanery of Bridgnorth, now locally situate between the dioceses of Hereford and Lichfield; and that those parts of the counties of Worcester and Montgomery which are now in the diocese of Hereford be transferred to the dioceses of Worcester, and St. Asaph and Bangor respectively..

11. That the diocese of Lichfield consist of the counties of Stafford and Derby.

12. That the diocese of Lincoln consist of the counties of Lincoln and Nottingham; and that the latter county, now in the diocese and province of York, be included in the province of Canterbury.

13. That the diocese of Norwich consist of the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, except those parts which it is proposed to transfer to the diocese of Ely.

14. That the diocese of Oxford be increased by the county of Buckingham, now in the diocese of Lincoln, and by the county of Berks, now in the diocese of Salisbury.

15. That the diocese of Peterborough be increased by the county of Leicester, now in the diocese of Lincoln.

16. That the diocese of Rochester consist of the city and deanery of Rochester, of the county of Essex (excepting the parishes which it is proposed to leave in the diocese of London,) and of the whole of the county of Hertford. 17. That to the diocese of Salisbury, reduced according to the foregoing propositions, be added the county of Dorset, now in the diocese of Bristol. 18. That the diocese of Worcester consist of the whole counties of Worcester and Warwick.

19. That the sees of St. Asaph and Bangor be united; and that the diocese consist of the whole of the two existing dioceses (except that part of the diocese of St. Asaph which is in the county of Salop,) and of those parts of the county of Montgomery, which are now in the dioceses of St. David's and Hereford.

20. That the diocese of Llandaff consist of the whole counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth.

21. That the diocese of St. David's be altered by the transfer of those parts of the counties of Montgomery Glamorgan, and Monmouth, which it is proposed to include in the respective dioceses of St. Asaph and Bangor, and Llandaff.

22. That the diocese of York consist of the county of York, except such parts thereof as it is proposed to include in the new diocese of Ripon.

23. That the diocese of Durham be increased by that part of the county of Northumberland called Hexhamshire, which is now in the diocese of York. 24. That the sees of Carlisle and Sodor and Man be united; and that the diocese consist of the present diocese of Carlisle, of those parts of Cumberland and Westmoreland which are now in the diocese of Chester, of the deanery of Furnes and Cartmel, in the county of Lancaster, of the parish of Aldeston, now in the diocese of Durham, and of the Isle of Man.

25. That the diocese of Chester consist of the counties of Chester and Flint, and of so much of the county of Salop as is not in the diocese of Hereford; and that the whole diocese be included in the province of York.

26. That two new sees be erected in the province of York-one at Manchester, and the other at Ripon.

27. That the diocese of Manchester consist of the whole county of Lancaster, except the deanery of Furnes and Cartmel.

28. That the diocese of Ripon consist of that part of the county of York which is now in the diocese of Chester; of the deanery of Craven, and of such parts of the deaneries of the Ainsty and Pontefract, in the county and diocese of York, as lie to the westward of the following districts-viz., the liberty of the Ainsty, and the wapentakes of Barkston Ash, Osgoldcross, and Staincross.

29. That all parishes which are locally situate in one diocese, but under the jurisdiction of the bishop of another diocese, be made subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese within which they are locally situate.

30. That such variations be made in the proposed boundaries of the different dioceses as may appear advisable after more precise information respecting the circumstances of particular parishes or districts.

31. That the bishops of the two newly erected sees be made bodies corporate, and be invested with all the same rights and privileges as are now possessed by the other bishops of England and Wales; and that they be made subject to the metropolitan jurisdiction of the Archbishop of York.

32. That the collegiate churches of Manchester and Ripon be made the cathedrals, and that the chapters thereof be the chapters of the respective sees of Manchester and Ripon, and be invested with all the rights and powers of other cathedral chapters, and that the members of these, and all other cathedral chapters in England, be styled dean and canons.

33. That the chapter of Carlisle be the chapter of the united see of Carlisle and Man.

34. That the bishop of the see of St. Asaph and Bangor be elected, alternately, by the Dean and Chapter of St. Asaph, and by the Dean and Chapter of Bangor.

35. That the bishops of the see of Bristol and Gloucester be elected, alternately by the Dean and Chapter of Bristol, and by the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester.

36. That power be given to determine the future mode of confirming such acts of the bishop of either of the united sees as may require confirmation, by a dean and chapter.

37. That upon the first avoidance of either of the sees of St. Asaph or Bangor, and of Gloucester or Bristol, the bishop of the other of the sees proposed to be united become, ipso facto, bishop of the two sees, and thereupon become seized and possessed of all the property, advowsons, and patronage, belonging to the see so avoided.

38. That the jurisdiction of the bishop's court, in each diocese, be coextensive with the limits of the diocese, as newly arranged.

39. That such arrangements be made, with regard to the apportionment of fees payable to the officers of the several diocesan courts, as may be deemed just and equitable, for the purpose of making compensation to those officers who may be prejudiced by the proposed alterations.

40. That such alterations be made in the apportionment or exchange of ecclesiastical patronage among the several bishops as shall be consistent with the relative magnitude and importance of their dioceses, when newly arranged, and as shall afford an adequate quantity of patronage to the bishops of the new

sees.

41. That none of the proposed alterations, affecting the boundaries or jurisdiction of any diocese or the patronage of benefices with cure of souls, belonging to any see, the bishop of which was in possession on the 4th day in March, 1836-take effect until the next avoidance of the see, without the consent of such bishop.

42. That in order to provide for the augmentation of the incomes of the smaller bishoprics, such fixed annual sums be paid to the Commissioners, out of the revenues of the larger sees respectively, as shall, upon due inquiry and consideration, be determined on; so as to leave as an average annual income to the Archbishop of Canterbury 15,0007., to the Archbishop of York 10,000l., to the Bishop of London 10,000l., to the Bishop of Durham 8000l., to the Bishop of Winchester 70007., to the Bishop of Ely 5500l., to the Bishop of St. Asaph and Bangor 52007., and to the Bishops Worcester, and Bath and Wells, respectively, 5000.

43. That out of the fund thus accruing, fixed annual payments be made by the Commissioners, in such instances and to such amount as shall be in like manner determined on; so that the average annual incomes of the other bishops, respectively, be not less than 4000l., nor more than 5000l.

44. That at the expiration of every seven years, reckoning from the first day of January, 1836, a new return of the revenues of all the bishoprics be made to the Commissioners; and that, thereupon, the scale of episcopal payments and receipts be revised; so as to preserve, as nearly as may be, to each

bishop, an amount of income, equivalent to that which shall have been determined in the first instance, to be suitable to the circumstances of his bishopric; and that such revised scale take effect, as to each see respectively, upon the then next avoidance thereof.

45. That if, in determining the mode of regulating the episcopal incomes, either in the first instance or on any future revision of them, it shall be deemed expedient to make the alteration required, in any case, by the substraction or addition of any real estates, such real estates be transferred accordingly.

46. That out of the property of the see of Durham, provision be forthwith made for the completion of those augmentations of poor benefices which the late bishop had agreed to grant, but which he left uncompleted at the time of his death.

47. That the Bishop of Durham do in future hold the Castle at Durham in trust for the University of Durham; and that all expenses of maintaining and repairing the same be defrayed by the University of Durham.

48. That so soon as the relative values of the several sees, under the new arrangements, shall have been ascertained, apportionment be made of the sums to be thereafter paid by the respective bishops for first fruits, so as to leave the aggregate amount payable from all the sees to the Bounty of Queen Anne the same as at present; and that the bishops, who shall on the present vacancies succeed to the sees of Durham and Ely, be relieved from the excess, beyond their due proportion, payable for first fruits; and that the residue of the sums due be paid by the Commissioners out of the surplus funds arising from those sees.

49. That the tenths to be hereafter payable by the respective bishops be regulated by the amount of the first fruits, payable under the preceding propositions.

50. That no ecclesiastical dignity, office, or benefice be in future granted to any bishop to be held in commendam; but that such of the endowments of certain prebends in the cathedrals of Lincoln, Litchfield, Exeter, and Salisbury, as now belong to the bishops of their respective dioceses, continue annexed to the respective sees.

51. That fit residences be provided for the bishops of Lincoln, Llandaff, Rochester, Manchester, and Ripon; and that for the purpose of providing the bishop of any diocese with a more suitable and convenient residence than that which now belongs to his sec, sanction be given for purchases or exchanges of house or lands, or for the sale of lands belonging to the respective sees; and also, where it may be necessary, for the borrowing, by any bishop, of a sum not exceeding two years' income of his sce, upon such terms as shall appear to be fit and proper; and that the governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne be empowered to lend money, upon mortgage, to such bishops.

52. That so much of the sum of 6000l., recovered by the late Bishop of Bristol, for damages done to the episcopal residence at Bristol, and of its accumulations, as may remain after deducting proper expenses, together with the money arising from the sale of the site of such residence, if sold, be applied to the purchase or erection of a residence for the bishop of the see of Bristol and Gloucester.

53. That new archdeaconries of Bristol, Maidstone, Monmouth, Westmoreland, Manchester, Lancaster, and Craven, be created, and that districts be assigned to them; that archidiaconal power be given to the Dean of Rochester, within that part of Kent which will remain in the diocese of Rochester; and that the limits of the other existing deaneries and archdeaconries be newly arranged; so that every parish and extra-parochial place be within a rural deanery, and every deanery within an archdeaconry; and that no archdeaconry extend beyond the limits of one diocese.

54. That all the archdeaconries of England and Wales be in the gift of the bishop of the respective dioceses in which they are situate; and that all arch

deacons have and exercise full and equal jurisdiction within their respective archdeaconries.

All which we humbly submit to your Majesty's consideration.

FOURTH REPORT FROM HIS MAJESTY'S COMMISSIONERS APPOINT、ED TO CONSIDER THE STATE OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH WITH REFERENCE TO ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVENUES.

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELlent Majesty,—

WE, your Majesty's Commissioners, appointed to consider the state of the established church in England and Wales, with reference to ecclesiastical duties and revenues, humbly present to your Majesty, this our Fourth Report. Having in our last Report completed the subject of episcopal duties, revenues, and patronage, we now proceed to offer such further recommendations as have occurred to us, upon the remaining parts of the inquiry which has been com,mitted to us by your Majesty.

CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES.

Under that head of our Second Report which relates to cathedral and collegiate churches, so many points are comprised, affecting a variety of interests, rights, and customs, that it is scarcely possible to lay down any general scheme, which may not be open to some objections, and into which it may not be necessary, upon further inquiry and consideration, to introduce some alterations. We see no reason to doubt the correctness of the principles upon which we have proceeded; but there is one proposition, which may perhaps be considered as deviating, in some respects, from those principles, and which, we think, may be advantageously modified.

We have recommended that, until the existing chapters shall be reduced to the proposed future number, no new election or appointment should take place. This process of reduction would affect the succession to cathedral preferment for so long a time as to afford a just ground of complaint to the clergy; while it would exclude the crown in some cases, and the bishops in others, from the exercise of this kind of patronage during the same period. In order to obviate this inconvenience, we venture now to submit a plan for filling up certain vacancies among the canonries, in chapters, where the number of canonries is not less than six. This plan will, it is true, lengthen the period, which must elapse, before the reduction to the future number will be complete; but it will be more equitable, as regards both the patrons of cathedral dignities, and the clergy who may reasonably look to that kind of preferment; and it may tend to facilitate the arrangements necessary to be made with respect to the residence and duties of the canons, in each of the chapters, while the change is in progress.

Reverting to the subject of ecclesiastical patronage belonging to cathedral and collegiate bodies, we are of opinion, that it will be advantageous to the church to make an arrangement which shall leave in their hands as much patronage as may be required for the members of the different chapters, and for the subordinate clergy who may serve under them; and which shall transfer the remainder to the hands of the respective bishops, as an addition to the means which they already possess of placing laborious and deserving