when I say that in most disputes with regard to tithes of all descriptions, where all proposals of accommodation have been contemptuously rejected as extravagant, unfair, and even illegal, and they have been compelled by the imperious and unreasonable conduct of their opponents, to claim the protection of their country, at a great individual expense, they have nine times out of ten prevailed against their adversaries, and fully established their disputed claims. I have not arrogantly or inconsiderately made this observation, which may be amply confirmed by the existing records of the Courts .of Chancery and the Exchequer, to elevate my brethren above their real and merited deserts; but with the honest and manly view, and I say most avowedly so, with all my humble talent, to screen, to defend them from that indiscriminate obloquy and severe reproach which has ever, more or less, been unjustly and illiberally cast on their order.

This treatise has been carried imperceptibly to a great length; but when the motive is justly considered, that it is written with a view to obviate entirely, if not with some hopes of moderating at least many and great evils in our establishment, civil, political, and ecclesiastic, the motive may have its due regard. The same good intention which induced your honourable Society publicly to institute this serious inquiry with regard to the whole system of tithes, has incited me to offer this humble tribute to my country and your valuable protection ; " Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine captos ducit," is a sentence by no means inapplicable to your patriotic exertions to inspire other societies with a similar ardour. All orders of men, following your example, are now called on to assist their country by every expedient that can be wisely used, to increase the revenues of the state, and the natural resources of the nation, to remove all embarrassments which virtually destroy the spirit of improvement, the spirit also of friendship, union, and benevolence, which dispositions in all ranks of the people are of such happy and vital consequences to us in our present situation.

To this end and design have the whole aim and attention of the writer been sincerely directed; and how far his measures proposed have been and are likely to be successful, is left with much respect and the greatest deference to the candid and superior judgment of your honourable Society in particular, and to the fair and just opi

nion of the world in general; only claiming those indulgences which the great difficulties of the subject may naturally lead every, man to expect. The writer of this treatise flatters himself that his labours in so laudable an attempt have not altogether failed of success; as many instances already prove, that the means recommended of alleviating the burthen of tithes have been truly serviceable and eminently beneficial to the clergy themselves, as well as the laity, and consequently to the great interests of the kingdom. It is therefore his earnest hope and sincerest wish that they will be more so to the present and to succeeding ages. If the reasoning in these pages be generally admitted to be just, those who at this time insist on the divine right of tithes, founded either on the law of Moses, or confirmed by the later charter of Ethelwulph in the year 854, should be induced fairly to examine the mutability of things from age to age, and the absolute necessity of adopting certain expedients, answerable to these changes in the affairs of men: original errors are continued by precedent only, and there are seldom hopes of any redress, if no exertion of our reason is allowable in the amendment of the most obvious defects. If by such investigation, impartially exercised, the present situation of our country may daily appear to be improved by a gradual or immediate commutation, or indeed an extinction altogether of tithes, which may be more convenient to some, but never can be just to all without an honourable and fair equivalent; if the absolute pressing exigencies of the state require, at this time, such a beneficial change: we may then be allowed to hope at least, if we are directed by reason, which is our best guide, and not by precedent which alters not, that every man who wishes his native land to emulate, if not to surpass, the other powers of Europe, in arts and arms, in every science that adds to the comfort of the people, will most readily resign that antiquated maxim which has prevailed for so many ages, of " Nullum tempus occurrit talibus ordinationibus," to the more enlightened and liberal policy of the present day. The Prerogatives of kings, like the privileges of subjects, are only established for wise, good, and salutary ends; whenever these shall so operate as to produce such effects as are injurious in a great degree to the welfare of the people, we need not be very scrupulous in saying, that some change and commutation for the general good is absolutely necessary. They must of

ten change,” says a great man, "who would be constant in happiness and wisdom, according to the time and necessity of the state." The prince, who so honourably patronizes your society, the Peers, the Prelates, and Commoners, all animated with the same patriotic views, in seeing among all classes of the people in the united kingdom, truth, peace, and prosperity, are now more particularly called on by your urgent recommendation, as well as by that of others, to improve by some means, and afford some seasonable relief to the great object that is now before us, which may appear, in every point of view, moral, political, and religious, the best calculated to promote the interests of agriculture, the welfare of the church and state, and which, in all its effects, duly appreciated by every Englishman, must eventually uphold our NATIONAL GLORY♪

"Vive, vale: si quid novisti rectius istis,

"Candidus imperti; si non, his utere mecum."-Hor.

Sopley, Oct. 27th, 1813.

JAMES WILLIS.

NO. XVI.

Pam.

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