The Unions of Parishes which form the Corps of Dignities and Prebends in the Cathedrals of Cashel and Emly, as in other Cathedrals in the Province of Munster, are of so ancient date, that they cannot now be traced to the period of their institution. Such Unions seem to have been always viewed differently from the Unions of Parishes unconnected with Chapters; for, though there existed the Stat. 2. G. I. c. 14. which had provided for the dissolution of Unions in general, it was yet found necessary to pass the Act 21 G. II. c. 8. to meet the particular Law of Unions which are the Corps of Dignities and Prebends, and to give a power in such cases to disappropriate Parishes lying remote from the Parish, which was to remain as a part of the corps of the Dignity or Prebend. In that Act it was made the condition of such disappropriation, that another Parish, at least equal in value, and lying contiguous or convenient, should be added in the place of the Parish disappropriated. influence of improving views and habits, manifestly now progressive.-CHARLES Cashel. As long as the particles which constitute the Benefices of this Diocese yield such scanty profits, and so few comforts as they do at present to the respective Incumbents, I do not conceive that any Dissolution of Unions, or other Distribution of Parishes would be expedient; except perhaps in the single instance of Beagh, which is at too great a distance from Ardraham, to which it is united, for the Parishioners to attend the Church there, or even for the Incumbent residing in the Parish of Ardraham to discharge the occasional Duties at Beagh. These two Parishes are moreover divided by the intervention of the Parish of Kilterton, a particle of the Union of Kilmacduagh; and the Parishioners of Beagh attend Divine Service at Gort, where the Church of Kilmacduagh stands, and are rated in parochial cesses by the Churchwardens of Gort, as of that Parish. I think a portion of Kilterton, adjacent to Ardraham, should be exchanged for Beagh; or a perpetual Curacy established at Beagh. -The Union of Kilcolgan, comprehending eleven Parishes, is supportable only by the This condition has rendered it impracticable, in most instances, to dissolve these Unions, aud to make new arrangements which would seem to promise advantage to the Public, and a greater case in the perform-consideration that, multitudinous as it is, ance of Clerical Duty. CHARLES Cashel. The change which has taken place in the circumstances of the Country, has, as it should seem, brought about a corresponding change in the conduct of the Bishops. The number of Benefices has greatly increased within a few years by the dissolution of such Unions, and is yearly increasing. It is reasonable to attribute this to a sense of duty in the Bishops, who have abstained from making Episcopal Unions, when the causes, which the Law points out as the proper foundation for making such Unions, have ceased. I think there is reason to expect, that Episcopal Unions will hereafter be much less frequently made than heretofore. If however, any new Regulations should be deemed necessary, I recommend that the consent of a Superior should be made necessary to give validity to an Episcopal Union. It is not to be denied, that there are circumstances in the Church Establishment, which, in theory, must be viewed as defects; but it is not so certain that these are found, in practice, to be attended with the evil consequences which might be expected from the; and there is much reason to question whether, in attempting to cure these defects, much more serious inconveniences would not be let in. I am of opinion therefore, that it is not now necessary, and that it would not be expedient to alter the Laws affecting the Established Church in Ireland. I enter tain no doubt that its discipline and general condition will be found to improve daily under the operation of the existing Laws, and the one hundred and twenty pounds annually is the extent of needy support which it supplies to the Incumbent.-Leitrim is a Parish sufficient as to local extent and population to stand by itself; but under its present circumstances, and under its long-inherited dispositions towards the Church in respect to Parochial Dnes, it cannot be separated from Lichmolassy, to which it has been long united, and leave a competent provision for the Incumbent of Lichmolassy and Balinakill, who ought to reside in or near the Town of Portumna; and where indeed the Earl of Clanricarde, the chief landlord, has expressed to me a zealous desire to promote the building of a Glebe House, and promised an accommodation, as far as twelve acres, towards the accomplishment of it.-Many new arrangements of Parishes, highly advantageous and conducive to the Establishment of the Protestant Church, might obviously be made in the Diocese of Clonfert, were the Govern ment to extend to it the same policy under which it has been pleased at different periods to regulate, I believe, every other Diocese in Ireland: namely, to enable the Bishop, by granting him a Compensation, to restore the Quarta Pars (or certain portions of Tythe due out of different Parishes), or rather grant them (all Tythes being originally the property of the Diocesan) to the officiating chial Incumbents. Of such a measure, the first result would be to release the Diocesan froin the necessity of employing a TytheProctor; or, as it happens in some cases, the Incumbent wishes to become tenant to the Quarta Pars, from trafficking with one 469] Report of the Hibernian Society on the Religious State of Ireland. : of his Clergy for a property not unimportant to either. In the hands of the Incumbent, these portions would individually increase much in value their dispartition would lay a reasonable foundation for the dissolution of several of the present Unions: new Churches and additional Incumbents might follow; a competency would be established for general Residence, and a single Manse House would no longer remain the opprobrium of the Union of two not inconsiderable Sees. In the instances of three Benefices, viz. Clonfert, Donanaughta, and Kiltormer, I have the best authority to assert that these threeBenefices would afford equal, if not superior Incomes to six clergymen and three additional Churches might be built in situations not remote from any Church, if the respective native Tythes of each Parish were relinquished by the Diocesan, and conferred upon the Incumbent. In respect to the Parish of Clonfert, upon any dissolution of the Union, I conceive it might be advisable to constitute it part of the Corps of the Deanery of Clonfert, which Dignitary is at present without cure of souls, in order to induce the Dean to reside at Clonfert; where, from the solitude of the situation, and uncivilization of the lower orders of people, such an association to the Residence of the Ordinary might prove very beneficial to the cause of Religion and Morality. It is obvious that, in many cases, by consolidating the Unions which are now Episcopal, a competent provision might be obtained for the structure of Glebe Houses; but is it not a Question of some difficulty, whether it would be prudent and political to render such extensive Unions perpetual, and preclude the commensurate provision for an increased Population, and an improved state of the Protestant Religion, at a future period, in this Diocese ?--Would it be correct to expend upon the erection of a Glebe House, a sum adequate to the present profits of the whole of the Union, and afterwards subject a Successor, who might possess only a component part of the Union, to the payment of a full proportion of it?-This, I believe would be the consequence, as the Law now is, until four successive Incumbents should have paid off the original charge of the House; or, in the case of borrowing the money from the Board of First Fruits, until the interest should have liquidated the principal of the Debt.-If the Bishop should resign the Tythes, how could he be remunerated? This is a Question I will not presume to answer. It is well known, that, in the North of Ireland, in time of James I., the Bishops were con pensated for resigning their Tythes by Grants of Land in other instances, by the Union of Sees in others, by the consolida tion of Benefices with Sees. : CHRIST. Clonfert and Kilmacduagh. (464 Since the foregoing article was compos. ed, we have received the Report of a Deputation from the Hibernian Society, respecting the Religious State of Ireland: To which is annexed a Plan of the Society, together with a List of its Officers. 8vo. pp. 64. Printed for the Benefit of the Society. Price 1s. Williams and Smith, &c. London, 1807 OUR readers have already been informed, that a Society for the purpose of spreading the Gospel in Ireland has been established in London. [Comp. Panorama, Vol. I. p. 825.] This Society sent over four deputies, who sailed from Holyhead July 24, and returned to England August 25, 1807. These gentleinen made their (hasty) Report in London on the day after their return; and it is now matured and published. We connect it with the foregoing article, because a part of it, which we shall extract, applies immediately to the same subject. The Protestant Episcopalians, that is, the members of the established church, amount, it is computed, to half a million. The clergy belonging to this community are placed in a very responsible and arduous situa tion. Much attention is requisite, amidst the seductive influences of the Popish priesthood, in order to reclaim, preserve, encourage, and increase, the flock. At the same time, to say nothing of their emoluments and literary advantages, the sanction they derive from the State confers on the Protestant clergy an authority which is capable of being converted to the best account. It were well if they all entertained those views of the Gospel, cultivated those dispositions, and abounded in those labours, which the circumstances of Ireland so emphatically require. The churches are, for the most part, opened but once a day; in a country where the most pernicious errors prevail, this appears to be a mortifying deficiency. Yet, such is the far-spread apathy, even in populous towns, that, if there are two services, the second is deplorably thin. This surely could not be the case, were the minds of the people, during the first service, more generally affected by the impressive truths which some have the privilege to hear. The Deputation were in company with seve ral clergymen who both dispense and adorn the doctrines of the Gospel. Should it please the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth many additional labourers, endowed like these, Ire land would have reason to rejoice; for though few converts, if any, from the Popish church, have been made by these clergymen, the pre 465] Report of the Hibernian Society on the Religious State of Ireland. [466 cious seed of truth, scattered from their hands, ber of intelligent and excellent persons would among nominal Protestants, has produced be scattered through the country, every where some correspondent fruit. It is most devout- inculcating and exemplifying diligence, soly to be wished, that those who induct into briety, justice, attachment to the Constituthe sacred office, and those who are inducted, tion, and obedience to God. At least, the may indeed be moved by the Holy Ghost; proposal of a measure tending to impart the then will the shepherds "feed the flock of slightest relief, and especially of one promisGod, taking the oversight thereof, not by con- ing so much utility, in a scene of confusion straint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre's and distress, will not be deemed intrusive. sake, but of a ready mind, neither as being For, though the honour of executing such a lords over God's heritage, but being ensam- measure, under the direct sanction of Governples to the flock." If the established church ment, should not be devolved on the Hiberof Ireland is to be supported with effect, the nian Society, the Deputation cannot forbear people must see their ministers; their minis- urging what they know to be in itself a most ters must emulate the diligence of the Catho- patriotic measure; and they are confident, lic priests; they must be more exemplary than that if proper agents, that is, persons fearthey. They must faithfully preach the word ing God, hating covetousness, and thoroughboth in public and from house to house:-inly imbued with evangelical benevolence, wero a word, they must be such, in their doctrine appointed, the measure, as well as the motive, and manner of life, as bigots, formalists, and would approve itself to every enlightened friend hirelings, whether Popish or Protestant, assail, of Ireland, and of the British Empire at yet fear-disdain, yet envy-calumniate, yet large. inwardly applaud. Our readers will make their own remarks on this representation. These gentlemen pass unqualified censure on the conduct of the Protestant Charter schools: as Sir J. Carr did the same, we fear there is too much cause of reprehension. But they also recommend, as one of the most promising measures that can be taken, the establishment of schools in different parts, especially where the Catholic population is numerous; observing, that Wherever there is a ministerial station, there should also be, in addition to a Sunday school, a school (at least for boys) throughout the week. Schoolmasters should, perhaps, be more numerous than ministers; yet in fixing them regard should be had to the probability that they will prepare the way for the latter, and thus, in due time, be enlivened by the presence of suitable companions. The Society will at once see the necessity of selecting for this office, as well as for the ministerial, prudent and pious men, apt to teach, formed to conciliate the hearts of their pupils, and to subdue the prejudices of their neighbours, and resolved to persevere in their endeavours as long as Providence shall seem to direct. It may not be requisite always, or even generally, to afford, except on the Sabbath, gratuitous instruction. Probably, the terms which a man, even of respectable accomplishments, would be entitled to demand, will sometimes be cheerfully offered. Could Government be prevailed on to sanction some well concerted plan for the educating and establishing of schoolmasters, the effect, it is believed, would soon demonstrate the policy of a liberal grant. For thus a num We are sorry to learn, that Ireland is not yet ripe for the benefits to be derived from the dispersion of the Scriptures in that country. The Catholic clergy oppose it vigorously, and policy seems to require at present a less obtrusive conduct. "Roman Catholics themselves have written what their brethren should be amply supplied with, and what Protestants, therefore, would do well to republish, and diffuse through every Irish county." This hint is extremely valuable. We know, that the best informed Catholic authors have expressed themselves on the most important subjects of the Christian faith, in language not unworthy of Protestants : and judicious selections from the works of such would be more likely to propagate truth, than those of their violent (however corthe Fathers and Saints of the Romish comrect) opposers. Under this management munion may be of use. That it is very desirable something should be done, appears from the testimony of these deputies, who report, that The Roman Catholics are by far the most numerous. Even in Dublin, they are probably five to one; in every province, except Ulster, they abound in a much higher proportion; and there are many strong indications, that, out of the larger towns, their prosperity, as far as numbers imply it, has for several years past been rapidly increasing. New chapels, capacious and advantageously situated, meet the eye in almost every direc tion. It is said, that there are two parishes in the North, where not a single Catholic resides; but, on the other hand, there are many parishes equally destitute of Protestants, six. and many more which contain only five or Intermarriages are found, in consequence of the tormenting importunity employed by the Catholics, to terminate, on the whole, abundantly in their favour. Very few renounce their communion, while several, who were brought up Protestants, are persuaded to embrace it. Their attachment to the Romish church is invigorated by the ever-active spirit of their priests, whose watchfulness and assiduity it were well if the teachers of a purer faith would but imitate. Of late, these revered, or rather, dreaded men have kept peculiarly on the alert, as if suspecting that their church was in danger. When they discover that any of their disciples have been hearing a Protestant minister, they rebuke, or enjoin penance, as the case appears more or less excusable; and they have been known to drive off with manual violence those whom curiosity had thus far led into the precincts of heresy. The existence of two languages in the same country, where one of them is in a manner confined to those who virtually discard the Scriptures, is an evil of no small magnitude. In the case of Ireland, it demands the most serious consideration. The native language, though commonly spoken, particularly in the province of Connaught, is read by a comparatively small number, nor can it generally be taught, for want of elementary books to shew the power of the letters singly, and when compounded into syllables and words. In this language, therefore, the Scriptures, though Popish jealousy and fraud were out of the question, cannot circulate, till such books be published, and brought into current use. be It is certain, that at present, the dispersion of the Holy Scriptures in Irish can at most very limited, that those who understand them in that language, understand them also in English, and therefore, that the immediate call for their dispersion does not strike the mind as being peculiarly urgent. lar and orderly manner, with zeal, yet with discretion, we hesitate not to infer. We infer, too, that good policy, no less than real piety, unites in recommending the attempt, and that if effectual means were adopted to enlighten the minds of the Irish as a nation, they would become better subjects, as well as better men, better neighbours, and better Christians. Caledonia: or an Account, Historical and Topographic, of North Britain; from the most Ancient to the present Times; with a Dictionary of Places, chorographical and philological, in four volumes. Vol. I. Royal qto. pp. 907. Price £3. 3s. imperial £4. 14. 6. Cadell and Davies. London 1807. THERE is, no doubt of it, a pleasure in the study of antiquities which is known only to the antiquarian adept; one who time has with great assiduity concealed delights in disclosing the secrets which from the observation of the human race, in general, and has placed beyond the attainment of ordinary exertion. Human life, and occupation, allow but seldom, and to very few persons, effectual opportunities of prying into the hidden deposits of time: and if opportunities are occasionally granted, the abilities of those thus favoured, are not always equal to the task of doing them justice. The study of antiquities, in fact, demands an assemblage of talents, which is not every day to be met with; who should possess more learning in things, as well as in words, than an antiquary? to whom is the talent of discrimination of greater importance? who has equal occasion for patience and resolution; for a determination proof against fear, and a caution jealous even of hope? The hazard which attends the giving of his opinion, is not small to a man of peace, for whom controversy has no charms: We take it for granted, that these gentlemen never saw any foreign Roman Catholic country; and we are therefore not surprised at the wonder they express at the open violation of the sacred day of rest, at the performance of stations, and pilgri-yet if his convictions are to be buried in mages, whether in person, or by deputy, and at other practices of the Romish Church. What proportion can such superstitions bear in Ireland, to those which even modern times witness on the continent? The general tenor of this pamphlet is gloomy: we hope that these gentlemen have seen things in the worst light; but that circumstances call aloud for exertion by those who have the power, in a regu silence, what avails his diligence of research, or his felicity in improving obscurities into discoveries. Fortune may favour him, but to what purpose, if he may not communicate the result of her favours, and modestly confess his obligations to a goddess who though blind, can see well enough to discern among the crowd those who distinguish themselves by their abilities, and who though fickle herself, yet rarely smiles on any but such as are endowed with steadiness and per severance. : ficial engagements permitted him leisure to see, with his own eyes: he has maintained a very general correspondence throughout the country of which he was intent on illustrating the history he has profited by the good offices of friends, and has studied attentively, the works, which foregoing antiquaries have communicated to the world. We have said already, that he differs from them without hesitation; and he states his evidences with clearness, we trust, also, with impartiali ty. We may safely lay it down as a principle worthy of attention in the absence of written history, that in proportion to the length of time which a people has occupied a country, and to the density of the population of that people, will be the number of the names of places and objects, with which they were conversant. A passing traveller, a mere sojourner, imposes no The study which demands the exercise of talents so considerable and so varied, should reward its votaries by enjoyments of no ordinary description, and derive delight from what the majority would pass over without notice. The subject, it is confessed, is not always of importance, but the gratification of discovery is never inconsiderable; it shall be true, that a banker may value a current coin more highly, but what man of science would therefore exchange an Otho for a guinea? The speculative mind has pleasures peculiarly its own and we must add pains too, for what can be so painful as disappointment, or what so mortifying as to watch the gradual vanishing of an hypothesis, our own hypothesis! before the radiance of truth, and the critical examination of better instruction. Only those who have formed, and che-lasting name on the place of his rest. rished, and almost matured, the conceptions of their own minds, can estimate the anguish which attends the reluctantly admitted conviction that we have been deluded by a phantom. On subjects so obscure the judgment may be bewildered by too lively imagination, as a traveller in the night is led astray by an ignis fatuus, and it is well for the wanderer, in both cases, if he is able to return without having suffered by a mischief, the effects of which may be lasting to his person or repose. 66 Wherever the number of these appella- He therefore is a bold man who departs from the common path, and dares to pursue a track which others have not trodden. He who takes a road different from that of his fellow travellers, who explores his way with great pains and labour, and whose vigilance suffers neither abatement nor interruption, must, at least, be applauded for his courage, and if he arrive happily at his journey's end, he deserves the honours which await the adventurous. Such a man is Mr. Chalmers: dissatisfied with the opinions and deductions of those who have studied the antiquities of Scot-priate to the character which Nature has land, he boldly quits, and in some instances directly opposes, their authorities. Unappalled by difficulties, considering labour as nothing, assiduous, irrepulsible, indefatigable, he has spent many years of his life, (above twenty that we know of,) in the pursuit of truth among the wilds of Caledonia: he has seen whatever his of perpetuated. If it be, the coincidence deserves remark: and if such coincidences be multiplied, if numerous and extremely diversified objects have retained names perfectly inapplicable in a modern language, yet aptly descriptive in an ancient language;-if they be of such kinds as are not likely to have received secondary |