Wiltshire. Pop., 273,845. Acres, 879,648. L. L., The Marquis of Lansdowne. Q. S., Devizes, C., Lord E. Fitzmaurice; Marlborough, C., Lord E. Fitzmaurice; Salisbury, C., Hon. P. Wyndham; and Warminster, C., Hon. P. Wyndham. C. of P., R. W. Merriman, Marlborough. C. T., E. B. Merriman, Trowbridge. Cf. C., Captain Sterne, R.N., Devizes. C. S., C. S. Adye, Trowbridge. C. C., 80 members. C., Lord E. Fitzmaurice. Worcestershire. Pop., 488,401. Acres, 463,613. L.L., The Earl of Coventry. Q. S., Worcester. C., John W. Willis Bund. D. C., R. H. Amphlett, K.C. C. of P., S. Thornley, County Hall, Worcester. C. T., Arthur C. Cherry, The Old Bank, Worcester. Cf. C., Lt.-Col. G. L. Carmichael, Worcester. C. A., C. C. Duncan, County Hall, Worcester. C. S., H. Rowe, Worcester. C. C., 76 members. C., J. W. Willis Bund. Yorkshire (EAST RIDING). -Pop., 445,112. Acres, 741,827. L.L., Lord Herries. Yorkshire (NORTH RIDING).-Pop., 393, 143, Acres, 1,361,465. L. L., Marquis of Ripon, Q. S., Northallerton. C., E. R. Turton. C. of P., W. C. Trevor, Northallerton. T., C. H. Backhouse, Northallerton. Cf. C., Major R. L. Bower, C.M.G., Northallerton. C. C., 80 members. C., John Hutton, M.P. Yorkshire (WEST RIDING). Pop., 2,746,867. Acres, 1,669,345. L. L., Earl of Scarbrough. Q. S., Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, Bradford. C., Sir Thomas Brooke, Armitage Bridge, near Huddersfield. C. of P., F. Alvey Darwin, Wakefield. D. C. of P., W. Vibart Dixon, Wakefield. T.. Percy Tew, Wakefield. Cf. C., Captain Theodosius Stuart Russell, D.L., Wakefield. C. C., 120 members. C., C. G. Milnes Gaskell. SCOTLAND. Aberdeen.-Pop., 304,420. Acres, 1,251,457. L. L., Earl of Aberdeen. V.-L., Sir John Clark, Bt. Con. C., Alex. M. Gordon of Newton. V.-Con., James Hay. Sh., Donald Crawford. Sh. Cl., David Littlejohn. C. of P., Horace Fildes. Co. Cl., William Murison. Cf. C., Major Gordon (County); Thomas Wyness (City). Argyll.-Pop., 73,665. Acres, 2,056,400. L.L., Duke of Argyll Con. C., D. N. Nicol of Ardmarnoh, M P. 1.-Con., Jas. Patten McDougal of Gallanash. Sh., James Ferguson. C. of P., William Douglas. Co. Cl., Malcom Sinclair. Cf. C., James Fraser. Ayr.-Pop., 254,436. Acres, 722,229. L. L., Earl of Eglinton and Winton. V.-L., R. A. Oswald. Con. C., R. M. Pollok-Morris of Craig. V.-Con., Hon. G. R. Vernon. Sh., David Brand. C. of P., D. W. Shaw. Co. Cl., C. and J. E.Shaw. Cf. C., Captain Hardy McHardy, R.N. Banff.-Pop., 61,487. Acres, 435,251. L. L., Duke of Richmond and Gordon. V.-L., Sir John Innes, Bt. Con. C., James Campbell. V.-Con., Sir John Innes, Bt. Sh., Donald Crawford. C. of P., Francis George. Co. Cl., Francis George. Cf. C., J. T. Gordon. Berwick, Pop., 30,816. Acres, 294,805. L. L., Lord Binning. V.-L., Earl of Haddington. Con. C., Sir George Houstoun Boswall, Bt. V.-Con., Col. Milne Home. Sh., Richard V. Campbell. C. of. P., George Rankin. Co. Cl., Joseph Wilson. Cf. C., Alexander Porter. Bute.-Pop., 18,786. Acres, 139,432. L. L., Rt. Hon. And. Graham Murray, K.C., M.P. Con. C., John W. Stuart. V.-Con., P. Murray. Sh., Sir John Cheyne. C. of P., T. W. Alexander. Co. Cl., R. D. Whyte. Cf. C., Charles Harding. Caithness. Pop., 33,859. Acres, 438,878. L. L., Duke of Portland. V.-L., Sir John Rose Sinclair, Bt. Con. C., John Miller. V.-Con., David P. Henderson. Sh, John Wilson, Edinburgh. C. of P., Peter Morrison. Co. Cl., James Brims. Cf. C., Thomas Sinclair. Clackmannan.-Pop., 32.019. Acres, 33,432. L. L., Earl of Mar and Kellie Con. C., George Younger. V.-Con., Robert Knox. Sh., John M'Kie Lees. C. of P., James Wallace. Co. Cl., J. W. Moir. Cf. C., John Scott. Dumbarton.-Pop., 113,870. Acres, 157,289. L. L., Sir James Colquhoun, Bt. V.-L., Alex. Crum-Ewing. Con. C., Lord Overtoun. V.-Con, James Stewart. Sh., John M'Kie Lees. C. of P., W. Craig. Co. Cl., W. Babtie. Cf. C., Charles M'Hardy. Dumfries. Pop., 72,569. Acres, 680,217. L. L., Duke of Buccleuch, K.G. Con. C., M. Carthew Yorstoun. V.-Con., R. W. Jardine. Sh., James A. Fleming. C. of P., J. H. McGowan. Co. Cl., John Robson. Cf. C., William Gordon. Edinburgh.-Pop., 488,647. Acres, 231,724. L. L., Earl of Rosebery, K.G. Con. C., Sir James Gibson-Craig, Bt. V.-Con., Major Dundas. Sh., Andrew Rutherford. C. of P., John Forrester. Co. Cl., A. G. G. Asher, W.S. Cf. C., Lt.Col. Borthwick. Elgin.-Pop. 44,808. Acres, 306,132. L. L., Duke of Fife, K.T. Con. C., Thomas Yool. V.-Con.,George R. Mackessack. Sh., Christopher Nicholson Johnston. C. of P., John Wink. Co. Cl., R. C. Cameron. Cf. C., John B. Mair. Fife.-Pop., 218,843. Acres, 335,155. L. L., Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. V.-L. and Con. C., Robert Cathcart. V.-Con., James Ritchie Welch. Sh., Charles K. Mackenzie, K.C. C. of P., John Jamieson. Co. Cl., W. D. Patrick. Cf. C., James F. Bremner. Forfar.-Pop. 284,078. Acres, 562,400. Sh., Henry Johnston. L.L., Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. V.-L., Hon. C. M. Ramsay. Con. C., Fari of Camperdown. V.Con., Alex. Gordon. C. of P., D. J. Carnegy, Forfar. Co. Cl., A. W. Myles. Cf. C., R. T. Birnie. Haddington. Pop., 38,662. Acres, 173,447. L. L., Earl of Haddington. Con. C., Sir Alexander Kinloch, Bt. V.-Con., Sir Archibald Buchan-Hepburn, Bt. Sh., Andrew Rutherford. C. of P., George H. Stevenson. Co. C., John D. Watson. Cf. C., Lt.-Col. Borthwick. Inverness-Pop., 90,182. Acres, 2,723,501. L. L., and Con. C., Donald Cameron of Lochiel. V.-Con., The Mackintosh of Mackintosh. Sh., Christopher N. Johnston. C. of P., Andrew Macdonald, Inverness. Co. Cl., Anderson & Shaw. Cf. C., Alex. McHardy. Kincardine.-Pop. 40,918. Acres, 245,347: L. L., Sir Alex. Baird of Urie, Bt. V.-L., and Con. C., Hon. Charles Forbes Trefusis. V.-Con., J. P. Bisset, Sh., Donald Crawford. C. of P., Robert Falconer. Co. Cl., Robert Tindal and A. W. Kinnear. Cf. C., Charles George. Kinross.-Pop., 6,980. Acres, 53,899. L. L., Lord Moncrieff. V.-L. and Con. C., Sir Charles Elphinstone Adam, Bt. Sh., Charles K. Mackenzie, K.C. C. of P. and Co. Cl., William H. Falconer. Cf. C., James F. Bremner. Kirkcudbright.-Pop. 39,407. Acres, 610,343L. L., Lord Herries. Con. C., William J. Herries-Maxwell. V.-Con., Robert F. Dudgeon. Sh., James A. Fleming. C. of P., William Nicholson. Co. Cl., Adam Brown. Cf. C., Alexander Davidson. Lanark.-Pop., 1,339,289. Acres, 551,977. L. L., Earl of Home. V.-L., Lord Newlands. Con. C., A. G. Barns-Graham. V.-Con., James T. Tullis. Sh., Robert Berry, LL.D., Glasgow. Co. Cl., W. A. Dykes, Hamilton. Cf. C., Captain Despard. Linlithgow. Pop. 65,699. Acres, 76,807. L. L., Earl of Rosebery, K.G. V.-L., Con. C, Colonel Hope. V.-Con, Capt. Steuart. Sh., Andrew Rutherford. C. of P., William Strachan. Co. Cl., J. G. B. Henderson. Cf. C., Lt.-Col. Borthwick, Edinburgh. Nairn.-Pop., 9,291. Acres, 124,968. L. L., Major James Ross of Kilravock. Con. C., Lt. Col. Clarke. V.-Con., J. S. Robertson. Sh., Christopher N. Johnston. C. of P., John Gordon. Co. Cl., H. T. Donaldson. Cf. C., James Stirling. Orkney.-Pop., 28,698. Acres, 240,476. L.L., Captain M. A. Laing of Crook. Con. C., Col. J. W. Balfour V.-Con., W. G. Watt. Sh., John Wilson, K.C. C. of P. and Co. Cl., Duncan J. Robertson. Cf. C., Richard Atkin. Peebles. Pop.,. 15,066. Acres, 226,899. L. L., Lord Elibank. V.-Con., Sir Thos. Gibson Carmichael, Bt. Sh., Andrew Rutherford. C. of P., John Ogilvie. Co. Cl., J. Ramsay Smith. Cf. C., Lt.-Col. Borthwick, Edinburgh. Perth.-Pop., 123,262. Acres, 1,617,808L. L., Duke of Atholl. V.-L. and Con. C., Lt.Col. Home-Drummond. V.-Con., Andrew Hutcheson. Sh., Andrew Jameson. C. of P., D. M. Mackay. Co. Cl., Wm. McLeish, David Marshall. Cf. C., John Macpherson. Renfrew. - Pop., 268,934. Acres, 156,785. L. L., Sir Michael R. Shaw - Stewart, Bt. V.-L., Lord Blythswood. Con. C., Robert King. V.-Con., Henry E. Gordon. Sh., Sir John Cheyne, Q.C. C. of P., John P. Fyfe. Co. Cl., James Caldwell. Cf. C., Charles Harding. Ross and Cromarty.-Pop., 76,421. Acres, 1,970,004. L. L., Sir Hector Munro, Bt. V.Con., J. D. Fletcher. Sh., Charles J. Guthrie, K.C. C. of P., Alex. Dewar. Co. Cl., W. J. Duncan. Cf. C., M. Macaulay. Roxburgh.-Pop., 48,793. Acres, 425,656 L. L., Lord Reay. Con. C., Lord Polwarth. V.-Con., James Brunton. Sh., R. V. Campbell. C. of P., James Stedman. Co. Cl., P. S. Darling. Cf. C., Alexander Porter. Selkirk.-Pop., 23,339. Acres, 172,373. L.L., Lord Polwarth. V.-L., Earl of Dalkeith. Con. C., Charles H. Scott-Plummer. V.-Con., John H. Scott. Sh., R. V. Campbell. C. of P., D. M. Mackintosh. Co. Cl., John Steedman. Cf. C., James Milne. Shetland. Pop., 28,185. Acres, 352,889. L. L., Captain M. A. Laing of Crook. V.-L.. Con. C., John Bruce. V.-Con., John Robertson. Sh., John Wilson, M.A., K.C., Adv. C. of P. and Co. Cl., Archd. Sutherland. Cf. C., Gifford Gray. Stirling. Pop., 142,338. Acres, 216,338. L. L., Duke of Montrose. V.-L., Col. Murray. Con. C., Alex. Peddie-Waddell. V.-Con., Col. King. Sh., John M. Lees. C. of P., A. C. Buchanan. Co. Cl., Patrick Welsh. Cf. C., John D. Sempill. Sutherland.-Pop., 21,550. Acres, 1,207,188. L. L., Duke of Sutherland. V.-L., Evan C. Sutherland Con. C., Andrew Lindsay. V.-Con., A. Bannerman. Sh., Charles J. Guthrie. C. of P., J. McCrone. Co. Cl., Archd. Argo. Cf. C., Malcolm Macdonald. Wigtown. Pop., 32,683. Acres, 327,815. L. L. and Con. C., Earl of Stair. V.-L., Sir Andrew Noel Agnew. V.-Con., James Drew. Sh., James A. Fleming. C. of P., J. M. Adair. Co. 67.,C. A. McLean. Cf. C., Brooke S. Cunliffe. IRELAND. Antrim.-L. L., Sir Francis E. W. Macnaghten, Bart., Dundarave, Bushmills. C. Q. S., His Hon. Judge Fitzgibbon, Jordanstown, Belfast. C. of C., H. McN. M'Cormick, Craigavad, Belfast. C. of P., Marquis of Donegall. C. S., Edward Bates, 11, Lombard Street, Belfast. C. T., Northern Bank, Ltd., Belfast. C. Sr., J. H. Brett, Fortwilliam Park, and Courthouse, Belfast. Sec. of C. C., A. H. Coates, Bangor, County Down. Armagh.-L. L., Earl of Gosford. C. Q. S., Carlow.-L. L., Lord Rathdonnell, Drumcar, Cavan.-L. L., Earl of Lanesborough. Clare.-L. L., H. S. Vandeleur. C. Q. S., R. P. Carton, K.C., Dublin. C. of C., John H. Harvey, Bindon Street, Ennis. C. of P., R. Vere O'Brien, Ballyalla, Enni. C. S., John Culliman, 13, Hume Street, Dublin, and Bindon. C. T., Provincial Bank, Ennis. C. Sr., P. L. K. Dobbyn, Ennis. Cork.-L. L., Earl of Bandon. C. C. J. C. of P., Robert A. Wieson, Lifford. C: S., Down.-L. L., Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. Dublin.-L. L., The Earl of Meath. C. Q. S., Sir F. R. Falkiner, K.C., Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., Geo. Fottrell. Court House, Green Street. C. S., Sir Patrick Coll, C.B., Dublin Castle. Fermanagh.-L. L., Earl of Erne. C. Ct. Judge J. Walker Craig, K.C., 33, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., J. W. Hanrahan, Enniskillen, C. S., James Riordan 54, Dawson Street, Dublin. C. Sr., James P. Burkitt, Enniskillen. Galway.-L. L., Lord Clonbrock, Clonbrock, Ahascragh. C. of C., Samuel P. Redington, 37, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin. C. of P., M. J. Blake, Galway. C. S., James W. Blake, Revagh, Salt Hill, Galway. Sec. C. C., Walter G. Seymour, County Court House, Galway. C. Sr. (W.R.), James Perry, Well Park, Galway; C. Sr. (E.R.), John Smith, Ballinasloe. Kerry.-L. L., Earl of Kenmare, Killarney. C. Q. S., James J. Shaw, K.C., 69, Pembroke Road, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., F. C. Downing, Lohercannon, Tralee. C. T., Manager of the National Bank, Tralee. C. Sr., S. Goodwin, Tralee. Kildare.-L. L., R. Kennedy, Newcastle Lodge, Hazelhatch. C. Q. S., R. R. Kane, LL.D., 4, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., J. Whiteside Dane, Abbeyfield, Naas, and Killyreagh, Tamlaght, Enniskillen. C. S., Wm. Grove White, 13, Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin. C. T., Hibernian Bank, Naas. C. Sr., Edw. Glover, C.E., 19, Prince Patrick's Terrace, Dublin, and Naas. Kilkenny.-H. M. L., Marquis of Ormonde. County Court Judge and C. Q. S., Hon. D. FitzGerald, K.C., 18, Clyde Road, Dublin. C. of C., James Poe, Kilkenny. C. of P., Richard Langrishe, Dundrum House, co. Dublin. C. S., Lewis James Watters, LL.D., Kilkenny. Sr., A. M. Burden, Kilkenny. C. King's.-L. L., Earl Rosse, Birr Castle, Birr. C. Q. S., J. Adye Curran, K.C., Rathmines. C. of C. and C. of P., J. P. Fagan, Tullamore. C. S., Richard F. Barry, Birr. C. T., Hibernian Bank, Ltd., Tullamore. C. Sr., James Delany, Tullamore. Leitrim.-L. L., Lord Harlech, Derrycarne, Dromod. C. Q. S., George Waters, Q.C., Simmons Court, Donnybrook, Co. Dublin. C. of C., Thomas Kiernan, Carrick-on-Shannon. C. of P., James Faris, Carrick-on-Shannon. C. S., Richard Allen, Cavan. C. T., Northern Bank, Carrick-on-Shannon. C. Sr., E. O'Neill Clarke, Carrick-on-Shannon. Limerick.-L. L., Lord Dunraven, Adare Manor, Adare, Co. Limerick. C. Q. S., Richard Adams, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., Wm. M. Beauchamp, 24, Upper Mallow Street, Limerick. C. S., William Leahy, George Street, Limerick. C. T., National Bank, Limerick. C. Sr., John Horan, George Street, Limerick. Londonderry.-L. L., The Right Hon. Sir Henry Hervey Bruce, Bart., Downhill, Co. Londonderry. C. of C. and C. of P., Alfred Moore, Munn, West Bank, Londonderry. C. S., Thomas Fitzgerald, Solicitor, 20, St. Andrew Street, Dublin. Sr. of the C. C., David R. Babington, Solicitor, Ship Quay Street, Londonderry. C. T., Belfast Banking Co., Londonderry. C. Sr. Charles L. Boddie, Coleraine. Longford.-L. L., Earl of Longford, Pakenham Hall, Castle-pollard. C. of C. and C. of P., J. F. O'Ferrail, Longford. C. S., Leslie M. Fleming, 55, Lower Gardiner St., Dublin. C. T., Capt. W. Bond, Newtown Road, Longford. C. Sr., J. W. Gunnis. Louth.-L. L., Lord Bellew. C. Q. S., Judge Kisbey. C. of C. and C. of P., Stephen O'Shaughnessy, Stapleton Place, Dundalk. S. C., Dr. Moynagh, Roden Place, Dundalk. C. T., Manager, Bank of Ireland, Dundalk. C. Sr., P. J. Lynam, C.E., Stapleton Place, Dundalk. Mayo.-L. L., Earl of Lucan, K.P., Castlebar House, and Staines. C. Q. S., Richard M. Dane, Q.C., 19, Warrington Place, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., Sir Benj. Whitney, Castlebar and 46, Kildare Street, Dublin. C. S., M. J. Kelly, Castlebar. C. Sr. (N.), W. P. Orchard, Ballina; C. Sr. (S.), Edward K. Dixon, Castlebar. Meath.-L. L., Simon Maugan M., Dunboyne Castle, Dunboyne. C. Q. S., John Adye Curran, K.C., 58, Palmerston Road, Rathmines, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of P., Geo. Knight, Lackanash Trim. C. T., Hibernian Bank. C. Sr., J. H. Moore, 63, Eccles Street, Dublin. Monaghan.-L. L., Lord Rossmore. C.Q.S., J. Walker Craig, Q.C., 33, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin. C. of C., Wm. McWilliam, Corlatt House, Monaghan. C. S., R. E. Bailie, Castleblayney. C. Sr., W. Fitzgerald Barry. Queen's.-L. L., Viscount de Vesci, Abbeyleix House. C. Q. S., Hon. David Fitzgerald, Q.C., 18, Clyde Road, Dublin. C. of C. and Č. of P., Gilbt. Kelly, Maryboro'. C. S., E. D. M'Laughlin, 3, Suffolk Street, Dublin. C. T., Bank of Ireland, Maryboro.' C. Sr., H. V. White, Portarlington. Roscommon.-L. L., The O'Conor Don, Clonalis, Castlerea. C. Q. S., Wm. O'Connor Morris, Gortnamona, Tullamore. C. of C. and C. of P., W. H. Robinson, 3, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, and Roscommon. C. S., St. George C. W. Robinson, Sligo. C. T., National Bank, Roscommon. C. Sr., C. Mulvany, Athlone and Roscommon. Sligo.-L. L., Lt.-Col. The Rt. Hon. Edward H. Cooper. C. Q. S., William O'Connor Morris, Gortnamona, Tullamore. C. of C. & P., Cochran Davys, Sligo. C. S., William Russell Fenton, Ardaghowen, Sligo. C. T., Provincial Bank, Sligo. C. Sr., C. B. Jones, the Mall, Sligo. Tipperary.-H. M. L., Earl de Montalt, Hawarden Court, Dundrum, Cashel. Local Registering Authority, C. of C. and C. of P., Thomas Boyd, Anglesea Street, Clonmel. C. S., MI. Gleeson, Nenagh. C. T., Provincial Bank, Clonmel, Munster, and Leinster Banks, Nenagh. C. Sr. (N.R.), J. O. Moynan, Nenagh; C. Sr. (S.R.), E. A. Hackett, Clonmel. Tyrone.-L. L., Earl of Belmore. C. Q. S., Sir F. W. Brady, Bart., K.C., 26, Upper Pem broke Street, Dublin. C. of C., E. V. Hamilton, Omagh. C. of P., Colonel L. M. Buchanan, C.B., Edenfel, Omagh. C. S., James Riordan, Omagh. C. T., Provincial Bank, Omagh. C. Sr. (N.), F. J. Lynam, Omagh; C. Sr. (S.), John W. Leebody, Dungannon. Waterford-L. L., Duke of Devonshire, K.G. C. Q. S., Hon. D. FitzGerald, K.C. C. of C. and C. of P., William John Dennehy, Crown Office, Waterford. C. S., H. R. Tweedy, 17, Beresford Street, Waterford. C. T., Munster and Leinster Bank, Waterford. C. Sr.,W. E.L'E. Duffin, Lansdowneville, Waterford. Sec. C. C., R. G. Paul. Westmeath.-C. Q. S., John Adye Curran, Q.C. C. of C. and C. of P., Wm. Mooney, Mullingar. C. S., R. H. Todd, 4, Palace Street, Dublin, and Londonderry. C. T., National Bank, Mullingar. C. Sr., A. E. Joyce, Ballinagore, Co. Westmeath. Wexford. L. L.. Viscount Stopford. C. Q. S., R. R. Kane, Esq., LL.D. C. of C. and P., H. L. Meadows, M.A., Ballyrane, Killinick, Co. Wexford. C. S., J. R. Cooper, Wexford. C. T., National Bank, Wexford. C. Sr., H. Webster, W. Wicklow.-L. L., Earl of Carysfort, K.P., Glenart Castle, Arklow. C. Q. S., R. R. Kane, M.A., LL.D., 4, Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin. C. of C. and C. of T., Frank Browne, Wicklow. C. S., George H. Major, 16, Talbot St., Dublin. C. Sr., Carter Draper, M.I.C.E., 26, Grosvenor Road, Rathmines, ECCLESIASTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL. THE CHURCH The Established Church is Protestant Episco pal, and its doctrines are defined in "The Thirtynine Articles" agreed upon by Convocation in 1562 and revised in 1571. The head of the Church is the reigning Sovereign, who, when a vacancy occurs, nominates an archbishop or bishop, and the nominee is afterwards elected by the dean and chapter of the vacant see. There are 2 archbishops and 33 bishops, and of these 26 sit in the House of Lords as spiritual peers. There are also 17 suffragan and 5 assistant bishops, these being appointed by the bishops. For ecclesiastical purposes England and Wales are divided into about 14,000 parishes, the head of which is a rector, vicar, or perpetual curate, as the case may be. A group of parishes forms a rural deanery (of which there are 810); a number of these are combined to form an arch deaconry (91 in all), and two or more archdeaconries make up a diocese, which is presided over by a bishop, the dioceses being grouped into two provinces under the supervision of the archbishops. The principal church of the diocese is the cathedral, governed by a dean and chapter. This is the seat of the bishop. The spiritual affairs of the Church at large are dealt with by two Houses of Convocation (Canterbury and York). The Upper House is made up of archbishops and bishops; the Lower of archdeacons, deans, and a certain number of proctors, or representatives of the clergy. Decisions of Convocation require the approval of the Crown before they can become binding, Parochial matters are administered by churchwardens appointed annually at Easter, one being usually nominated by the incumbent of the parish, the other elected by the parishioners. The laity have, at present, very little power in regard to the management of Church affairs; their representatives meet for discussion in ruridecanal and diocesan conferences and the two Houses of Laymen. The Canterbury House is composed of representatives from the various diocesan conferences, with a limited number of members nominated by the archbishop. York House is similarly constituted. The The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, who were incorporated in the year 1836, administer very extensive estates and large revenues for the benefit of the Church. These estates were transferred to them as part of a large measure of redistribution of ancient Church endowments in the interests of the Church, effected towards the end of the first half c last century by various Acts of Parliament readjusting cathedral and episcopal incomes, suppressing sinecure preferments, and making similar reforms. The resources so placed at the disposal of the Commissioners have been largely augmented by the increase in the value of the estates and in the income which they produce under the management of a body having necessarily greater experience, and especially much greater legal powers for dealing with the properties than were possessed by the ecclesiastical corporations by whom the estates were formerly held. Apart, however, from private gifts and bequests received by the Commissioners (very considerable in the aggregate, but almost entirely for the benefit of particular livings), it is to be observed that the whole of the estates and funds belonging to the OF ENGLAND. Commissioners are ancient property of the Church or represent the proceeds of sales or other dealings with such property. The revenues of the Commissioners (after defraying charges upon them) are, speaking generally, to be applied to the augmentation of livings, and to making provision in other ways for the cure of souls in necessitous parishes. The surplus revenues so applicable have, in recent years, been about £200,000 per annum. The operations of the Commissioners have now extended over some sixty years, in which time they have augmented or endowed about 5,800 benefices (a large number being newly-created benefices), partly by the provision of parsonage houses, partly by annexation of glebe lands, tithe rentcharges, &c., and partly by grants of income charged upon the Commissioners' funds, or by supplying or assisting in supplying stipends of curates. The value of the endowments so secured by the Commissioners, and of the increased provision for the cure of souls in other ways so made by them in these 5,800 parishes, amounts to about £829,000 per annum. In addition, there have been secured to the same or other livings, through the instrumentality of the Commissioners, benefactions from private sources of the value of about £220,000 per annum. Much has also been done in the way of the improvement of the permanent endowments of benefices by incumbents taking advantage of the facilities given to them by the Ecclesiastical Leasing, &c., Acts to develop and deal with glebe lands and properties of their benefices (with the sanction of their patrons and under the control of the Commissioners). Last year 216 sales, leases, &c., under these statutes were effected of property belonging to 139. benefices. The Commissioners also administer the large body of statutes known as the Church Building Acts, and also the New Parishes and other Acts under which parishes are rearranged, new ecclesiastical districts and parishes formed, and sites for churches, burial grounds, and parsonage houses are secured. Under these statutes, since 1818 (when the first Church Building Act was passed), the number of new ecclesiastical districts and benefices created has been 3760. Last year 35 such new districts were formed, apart from alterations of boundaries and other arrangements in respect of existing districts. In the same year 128 sites were conveyed to the Commissioners under the Church Building Acts46 for new churches or additions to churches, 31 for parsonage houses or additions thereto, and 51 for churchyards or burial grounds or additions thereto. The revenue of the Church of England is derived from the following sources: |