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APT 
 
 TRUSSELL, 
 
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t' 
 
 Ko.t^ 
 
 A THIRD LETTER, 
 
 ADDRESSED 
 
 TO JOHN DISNEY, Esq. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 
 
 FOR 
 
 A REFORM IN THE CHURCH, 
 
 BY REGULATING THE 
 
 STIPENDS OF THE CLERGY ACCORDING TO THE DUTIES PERFORMED: 
 
 ALSO PROPOSITIONS FOR THE 
 
 COMMUTATION OF TITHES, 
 
 BY CONVERTING THEM INTO A MONEY PAYMENT, 
 
 TO BE REGULATED BY THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 
 
 BY JAMES TRUSSELL, 
 
 FARMER, OF WOODHAM FERRIS. 
 
 CHELMSFORD : 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY CHALK, MEGGY, AND CHALK 
 
 SOLD ALSO BY H. GUY AND OTHER BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 PRICE ONE SHILLING. 
 1836. 
 
TO JOHN DISNEY, Esq. 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE CHELMSPOUO ANO ^SSEX AGBICr.TUB.. 
 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 the nre^Pnt tit^/^'^'' ^^'"'^f^ '°™'' ''"'« attention to 
 uie present tithe system, and seen and read renorts of 
 
 disputed cases between the payer and recefver of ?Uhef 
 I have been induced to offer my opinion as to I nw tt ' 
 question can be finally settled.^ 6^?^ I enter lo,! 
 any plan to settle the tithes with advantage "o all who 
 
 sa: the"v are' "'"' ^'f"' ' "''^'^ *<> answer' thoi' l^To 
 say tliey are a property so sacred that thev cannot C 
 
 bTetin' stwVhaTf r to contradicrairvand 
 uye wiJi silow what has been done, which is a nrppp 
 
 to be ftil '"rr"* P*"-''?"!''' ''"' -^t once pX'sIt 
 
 same ul 1 tTJ T''' *° ^^^""^ ^"'^ ^'"^"''- At the 
 same time, I take this opportunity of stating that T 
 
 oughtto live by the things set Tp'art fo «io e whTd'e 
 vote their time and lives to its seA^ices. I wHl nit leave 
 this subject here, although it may be said by some H 
 cannot concern my after observations ; buj if beTg so 
 much connected with them, I cannot help commuting 
 wi^ fff'""' ^'"'^^ ™y reader will pardo^nmnd 
 
 tTon sett ed T 7 ^T * r '"'^ ^^'' ^H-important ques- 
 
 immed atet for thfs irth^e'fr r""^ ""i ''' ^"'"^ '' 
 oiiD-ht tT ^ J ., *"® t'^rd important act thev 
 
 curtncvr.?l:;''';'i- :'}^ ™?'t tax'stands first, S 
 ^! 1^ ^!. " ' ''"'^ ^^^ t'f'es the last. The first re- 
 
 of "rcommTnH ^"^ '^'J'"'^ """''"^rts to millions 
 01 the community of this much favoured isle. It is in 
 the power of our governors to ameliorate our condition. 
 
and give, not only the means of existence, but comforts 
 to the hearts of her children, whose voices would re- 
 spond from shore to shore. But to return to the object 
 of my observations, I would have no pluralities in the 
 Church. I trust that the Government will have cou- 
 rage enough, now they have commenced legislating 
 upon this important question, to go through the whole 
 of the abuses of this our venerable Church Establish- 
 ment, remove every stain from its hallowed walls, and 
 restore it to its primitive uses, which would gladden the 
 hearts of its adherents. I will show, by and bye, 
 what has been done, and thus prove it is in the power 
 of Parliament, first, to alter ; and, secondly, to revise 
 and remodel the same, by taking from the larger reve- 
 nues and the pluralist, and adding to the smaller. Such 
 a course would at once remove the jealousy against the 
 one overpaid, and enable him, who now has not enough, 
 to appear equally respectable, and be held in that esti- 
 mation his profession entitles him to, as a minister of 
 the gospel. Secondly, I would alter the present system 
 of dispensing the revenues ; by the ministers being 
 properly remunerated for their services, they would be 
 respected, and would no longer be looked upon with 
 that jealousy they are in their j)resent situation, but 
 would be held in estimation as of old, not only as the 
 preachers but as the dispensers of salvation to their 
 hearers. For this happy period the people of this 
 country are looking with anxiety, and are already be- 
 ginning to rejoice at the prospect in view. Before I 
 enter further into the tithe question, lest an impression 
 should be formed by any one that the writer of this 
 small pamphlet has not much respect for the Church 
 and its revenues, I take this opportunity of stating, 
 that I would not take from it one farthing, or in any 
 way lessen the respect in which it is held — that is very 
 far from my intentions. I hold myself, humble as I 
 am, one of its most strenuous supporters, and could 
 give up all other privileges rather than that of support- 
 ing it in its purified state, and of worshipping the 
 Deity agreeably to its prescribed rule. This can only 
 be done by removing the monopolies of its revenues, 
 which exist in its present state, to the regret of all good 
 and well-thinking men, when we look at the past and 
 present management of its revenues, and see how they 
 are conferred upon certain individuals, by and through 
 the means of their connexions, they having been ap- 
 
 4- 
 
 X 
 
 If 
 
 i 
 
 pointed to the different livings we find them in possession 
 of, to the great hindrance of the respect of the Church. 
 It is not as many people say from a zeal for the per- 
 formance of its duties, but for its emoluments, that they 
 undertake such and such duties, well knowing they 
 must be performed by deputy. And in many instances 
 how are they paid ? This question shall be answered 
 by the following statements taken from Messrs. Riving- 
 ton's Clerical Guide, St. Paul's Church-yard, London, 
 published in 1829; see edition up to that date: (The 
 Messrs. Rivington's have been the Booksellers of the 
 Established Church for the last fifty years.) Parochial 
 benefices : there are three hundred and thirty-two per- 
 sons, who have amongst them the revenues of fourteen 
 hundred and ninety-six parishes. There are five hun- 
 dred more who have amongst them the revenues of 
 fifteen hundred and twenty-four parishes. There are 
 several of the nobility who have each six benefices, 
 including their cathedral preferments ; there is a Mr. 
 G. Onslow, who is Vicar of Send, Perpetual Curate of 
 Ripley, Vicar of Shalford, Perpetual Curate of Bram- 
 ley, Rector of Wisley, and Vicar of Perford ; a Mr. 
 Gilbert Heathcote is Archdeacon of Winchester, a 
 Fellow of its College, Treasurer of Wells Cathedral, 
 Vicar of Andover, Vicar of Hursley, Perpetual Curate 
 of Foscot, and Perpetual Curate of Otterbourne ; Lord 
 Walsingham is Archdeacon of Surrey, a Prebendary of 
 Winchester, Rector of Clabourne, Rector of Fawley, 
 Perpetual Curate of Exbury, and Rector of Merton ; 
 the Rev. J. T. Carbed is prebend of the two 
 Cathedrals of Wells and Llandaff,' is Rector of one 
 parish, a Vicar of four parishes, and a Perpetual 
 Curate in two parishes. Allow me, Sir, to observe, 
 this is only a small part, for there are dozens and scores 
 of others that could be mentioned if time would permit ; 
 the above is a specimen only of the remainder. 
 
 What would the Christians of the primitive ages 
 say to this our system of conducting its secular affairs ; 
 its original dues are perverted and made an object of 
 lucre and gain, which ought never for one moment 
 be entertained by a preacher of the Gospel. These 
 abuses have called forth much sincere regret that such 
 undue preference should be resorted to, in the disposal 
 of the different livings and benefices of the Church; 
 and secondly, it is high time to cease to commit so 
 
6 
 
 tiuicl) injustice towards those who porform the duties of 
 curates in the several parishe.-?, whose pay or stipend 
 is so small in amount that it does not enable them to 
 appear respectable, or to exist in a way their station in 
 life requires. 
 
 I would begin the reform of the Church at its 
 head, and carry it downv\ards until I had removed 
 every excrescence and every useless pillar that had by 
 time' been erected there, to the deformity of the beauty 
 of the original building. I would not, as has been 
 observed, disturb one of the present incumbents in 
 the different dioceses, but let them enjoy their ap- 
 pointments the remainder of their lives ; as vacancies 
 occur, those appointments should come under new 
 regulations, to be expressed in an Act of Parliament 
 passed for that purpose, and which should embrace the 
 new plan for regulating the whole of the Church 
 property. I would begin with the Archbisho]) of 
 Canterbury, whose salary, on a vacancy occurring, 
 should in future be the very liberal sum often thousand 
 pounds per annum, it being the principal see and the 
 head of the Church in this country. The other 
 Archbishop I would set at eight thousand, the next in 
 distinction I would set at five thousand, and the third 
 and lowest class I would set at three thousand per 
 annum. Having made this alteration I feel persuaded 
 those honorable stations would find incumbents and 
 possessors w^ho would feel as much real comfort and 
 satisfaction as their predecessors had done, considering 
 the altered circumstances of the country, and taking 
 into account the increased value of money. I would 
 also reduce the number of the Canons, as they became 
 vacant in the different Cathedrals, two-thirds, it being 
 a useless office. I w^ould then proceed to the Deaneries, 
 and would take them down from what they now are, at 
 the time of the vacancies, to fifteen hundred or one 
 thousand per annum, and would stop there with them, 
 for it is my wish to recommend that they should be allow- 
 ed a full and ample provision for the honorable station 
 they fill, be held in respect, and be enabled to put 
 their hand into their pocket and relieve the child of 
 distress, thus setting a worthy example to their fellow 
 men. As to the different incumbents of the livings 
 I have fullv stated how thev should be dealt with in 
 future. 
 
 i~ I « 
 
 i 
 
 i- 
 
 Tn making this alteration, I need not remark 
 there would be a very great saving, which would 
 amount to a large sum annually. With this surplus I 
 would increase the stipends of the Clergy where they 
 were found to be as after stated, under two hundred 
 and fifty pounds per annum, under three, under four, 
 and under five hundred pounds per annum, and repair 
 our much-admired and noble edifices, thus not only 
 affording relief to a suffering people, but comfort and 
 satisfaction, the working population of this country well 
 knowing that upon their hard earnings one portion of 
 their fellow men exist. Taking into account the rise 
 and value of money, the present system gives the cause 
 of complaint, as there is not that difference made 
 according to its value. To begin with the labourer, 
 he has to perform double the quantity of labour 
 formerly required of him ; the occupier is obliged to 
 take to market two loads and upwards of wheat to 
 realize the amount one load realized twenty years 
 since. I further contend, if the governors ot this 
 country are inclined to preserve peace and continue 
 harmony amongst its subjects, this change is a most 
 necessary one, and will give real satisfaction to the 
 community ; it will help to lessen the jealousy of those 
 w^ho dissent from its doctrines. In making the above 
 change, I would not take patronage out of the hand 
 of either the clerical oi lay owner ; that should remain 
 as now, but I would not allow them to take one farthing 
 on presenting any one with a living in their gift. If 
 that be allowed, it will at once strike at the root of the 
 foundation of this our beautiful Established Church in 
 its purified state. Should the above alterations be 
 carried into effect, we should have a purified Church 
 Establishment, which would last for ages, and would 
 call blessings down upon the inhabitants of this our 
 little spot upon the globe, and we should set an example 
 worthy of imitation by all other Christian nations. 
 
 In changing this long abused system of Church 
 preferment I would not do it hastily ; I would not 
 disturb one of the present incumbents, but would let 
 them all remain and enjoy their possessions during the 
 remainder of their lives, for to alter them would create 
 painful feelings in the breast of those who at this mo- 
 ment are in possession of the different incumbencies. 
 But I would pass an x\ct of Parliament immediately, to 
 
9 
 
 prevent the tithes being taken in kind ; wherever the 
 tithe payer and the receiver could not agree, the tithes 
 should be immediately valued by persons specially ap- 
 pointed by Government, but not out of the county, 
 and a composition should be paid and received on all 
 occasions, making the landowner liable to its being dis- 
 charged, which would at once do away with the very 
 name of charge for tithe with the occupier, alter the 
 existence of their present engagements had ceased As 
 the present engagements ceased, the land would let as 
 tithe-free to the occupier, charging so much additional 
 rent, thus superseding the necessity of the tenants 
 having anything to do with the tithe in future, it being 
 entirely a" landlord's charge. 1 would pass another 
 Act of Parliament and cause all livings and benehces 
 as they became vacant, to be dealt with in this manner 
 for the express purpose of removing the abuses, and 
 placing the revenues upon a proper and safe basis so as 
 to do justice to all parties in future connected with the 
 Church. 
 
 Thus, Sir, it is made plain that an alteration of 
 this sort would neither be grievous nor hurtful to any 
 one, for the rising generations of the clergy, being 
 aware of the alteration, would as gladly accept ot the 
 different livings and benefices as their predecessors 
 have done, and taking into account the extraordinary 
 rise and value of money, they will find themselves 
 in possession of as many comforts as their ancestors 
 have experienced— this system put into practice, would 
 restore the revenues of the Church to their original 
 and intended uses, create a good feeling between 
 the payer and receiver and all classes of the com- 
 munity, and would go far to help christianize all des- 
 criptions of persons. 
 
 Before 1 leave the subject, I will show to my reader 
 what has been done, as a precedent for us ; at the same 
 time T will prove that where there is any misapplication 
 of this property set apart for the ministration of the 
 gospel, it is in the power of the senate, who are, 
 properly speaking, not only the representatives but 
 voice of the people, to alter, to repeal, or amend any 
 Act or Acts of Parliament that may have become 
 inoperative or oppressive. I find, by reference, there 
 are in England and Wales, upwards of sixteen thousand 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 J: 
 
 parishes and townships, each having its parochial 
 officers, but not so its ministers, for I find an Act of 
 the 37th, Henry VIII., chap. 1st, and by a second 
 Act 1 7th, Charles II., chap. 3rd, a number of the 
 smaller livings were joined to others, thus reducing 
 them to ten thousand four hundred and twenty-one 
 benefices. By a return made to the House of Com- 
 mons in 1818, it appears there were 4,361 livings as 
 low as from ten to one hundred and fifty pounds a year, 
 — much too small a sum to admit of a clergyman com- 
 fortably filling the station in which it has pleased 
 Providence to place him. Now, Sir, I would add to 
 those small livings immediately, out of the fund set 
 apart for that purpose, namely. Queen Ann's Bounty, 
 so as to put the present incumbents of those small 
 livings upon a footing that should at once make them 
 comfortable. This the Government would soon have 
 it in their power to do, on account of the present 
 incumbencies ceasing where the surplus livings and 
 benefices could be applied to the small ones. Where 
 the population did not exceed two hundred, I would 
 allow the incumbent two hundred and fifty pounds per 
 annum ; where they were upwards of two hundred and 
 under eight hundred I would pay three hundred, and up 
 to one thousand, four hundred per annum ; one thousand 
 and upwards I would have paid five hundred per annum, 
 and there I would stop. Perhaps it may be necessary, 
 where the population exceeds 1800, to allow £250 per 
 annum for a curate, the rector having the appoint- 
 ment of the same. Taking into account all fees, &c. 
 such stipends would amply remunerate any incumbent 
 for the honourable station he filled, and for the duties 
 he had to perform. I would also allow of preferment, 
 as it would be a means of keeping up a stimulus, and 
 an earnest desire of acquirements, for, at the vacancies 
 which would occur from time to time, I would transfer 
 from the smaller livings, beginning with the two hun- 
 dred and fifty pounds per annum, to the five hundred 
 per annum, and so on to the deaneries and bishoprics, 
 as they became vacant. At the time of the dissolution 
 of the Monasteries they were largely endowed, and not 
 only maintained the Clergy, but also provided for the 
 poor, where found destitute. There was no such 
 thing known as a poor-rate, but soon after these cha- 
 ritable establishments were broken up, the poor became 
 in a state of destitution ; and in the 45th of Elizabeth, 
 
 ■1 
 
10 
 
 came into operation the late humane poor law ; for the 
 clergy and the laity, having once got hold of the tithes, 
 could never again be prevailed upon to relinquish or 
 give up any direct part of them towards the mainte- 
 nance of the poor. 
 
 By the above, it is clearly seen how the soil be- 
 came doubly burdened. First, in maintaining its 
 priesthood ; secondly its poor, which has at last come 
 to this.— It has as near as possible, according to the 
 present system of taking tithes, absorbed the value of 
 the proceeds of the soil, after the charges of the culti- 
 vation are paid, leaving nothing for the owner at the 
 present prices, which no practical man can contradict. 
 It is allowed on both sides, the tithes collected in the 
 way they now are, are a great drawback upon the cul- 
 ture of the soil, and prevent a deal of employment ot 
 the labourer, which would otherwise have taken place, 
 and would have gone far to have lessened the poor- 
 rates. By a commutation of tithes, this ever-to-be- 
 regretted system would be at once put an end to. I 
 will not for one moment suppose it is the wish of the 
 major part of the clergy to continue the old system any 
 longer, which has caused so mony broils between them 
 and their parishioners, to their never-ceasing regret. 
 If the tenth of the amount of the value of the produce, 
 after deducting all expenses of gathering and getting it 
 to market, deducting all parochial charges ; namely, 
 poor and highway-rates, which have of late years be- 
 come more serious than ever, taking into account the 
 diminished value of the produce, and which cannot be 
 collected at a less sacrifice than from thirty to forty 
 per cent, according to the situation and locality of the 
 parish ; if the value of the tenth of the natural produce 
 of the soil only was taken, the amount of tithes charge- 
 able, would be very much less than now collected, after 
 all the enormous expenses that have been incurred in 
 the improvements of the soil ; the tenths of the im- 
 provements now becoming the property of the tithe- 
 proprietor, whether clerical or lay . 
 
 The soil of this country has, within the last half 
 century, been improved at a considerable outlay (as I 
 observed in my first pamphlet), a great breadth of 
 waste and wood land has been brought into cultivation 
 at very heavy expenses, which is not taken into ac- 
 
 i 
 
 11 
 
 count by the tithe-collector, but without hesitation he 
 takes, in various instances, the full value of the tenth 
 of the crops grown upon it. This at once proves how 
 grievous is the present system, and how loudly it calls 
 for alteration. 
 
 Again, I will suppose the population of the coun- 
 try goes on increasing for twenty years as it has done 
 for the last twenty ; the quantity of land that is now 
 under cultivation will not yield enough wheat for 
 the maintenance of its population, without a consider- 
 able quantity of the now waste lands being brought into 
 cultivation, which will never be done if the present sys- 
 tem of collecting tithes is not put an end to. If it 
 be not amended it will do this— it will oblige us to have 
 recourse to the foreign market, and will carry out of 
 the country an extra sum of money, which should and 
 might, if properly managed, be distributed amongst the 
 agricultural community in rearing the same quantity of 
 grain upon our own soil, and by thus doing feed our 
 increased population, with the fruits of our own indus- 
 try and means, at the same time giving employment to 
 the cultivator of the same. All which, if the tithe laws 
 are repealed, will take place. If they are not this very 
 ordinary soil cannot— first, be enclosed, and, secondly, 
 brought into cultivation so as to yield a profit. 
 
 1 beg to remark, in justice to the clergy, they have 
 in some instances very willingly given reductions upon 
 their tithes, which at once proves it is not the fault 
 of the receivers, but the system which has been 
 suilered so long to remain, till it has called forth 
 many ill-natured remarks, from the greater portion 
 of the community, but more particularly from the 
 dissenters. 
 
 I have often answered objections made to taking 
 tithe, by saying to the complaining parties, you are to 
 recollect you purchased and hired subject to this impost, 
 and why complain— remove it, and you will have to pay 
 the same amount in some indirect way. i\ccording to 
 the present system of taking and paying tithes, I find 
 if they were removed, it would increase the value of 
 the estate to purchase about six pounds per acre, and 
 to hire about 4s. 6d. per acre ; it only makes this differ- 
 ence, which I do most readily admit of, and is much the 
 
O- 
 
 12 
 
 most satisfactory. I propose to commute the tithes, by 
 abolishing the present system, and basing them upon a 
 corn-rent, at so much per acre, which shall be stated 
 by-and-bye— subject to the average gazetted price of 
 Mark-Lane, taken from the Michaelmas return of each 
 year. The cultivator would embrace this system with 
 much satisfaction, as it would at once remove from him 
 all apprehensions of being subject to any additional 
 charges ; where he had been making extensive im- 
 provements, the removal of the tithes would imme- 
 diately create a stimulus on the part of the occupier, to 
 do all in his power to improve his system of cultivating 
 his soil, which would bring a great deal more capital 
 into circulation, and would give additional employment 
 to the labourer, who would then be maintained by his 
 own industry, and not by relief from his parish, as 
 heretofore. Secondly, it would increase the quantity 
 of our produce by a more improved system of culture, 
 and would help to employ our increased population, 
 thus effecting much good as well as insuring much 
 satisfaction. 
 
 In my former pamphlet, I stated we had been 
 large customers to the foreigners. By a statement 
 lately published, it appears that since the year 1814, 
 we have paid for grain alone, the enormous amount of 
 eighteen millions of money, which is one million per 
 annum, making two millions a year difference to us as 
 a nation, w^hether we raise corn to the amount of one 
 million, or whether we have to buy it. Let me ask 
 any reasoning man, are we not likely again to be 
 obliged to go to the foreign market, and send out our 
 money to pay for it ? Let the government remove 
 every impost and it will be soon shown, that we shall, 
 through the blessing of Divine Providence, grow 
 enough for our own consumption, and thus increase the 
 comforts of the whole of the community. 
 
 Perhaps it may be thought by some I have been 
 too bold in asserting my opinions as to how the govern- 
 ment might settle this all important question, which 
 affects the whole of the community of this fair isle. I 
 am a very humble individual, but if I have been able 
 to show that this question can be settled, I hope that 
 will be sufficient apology for my thus trespassing a third 
 time upon a generous public, who have been pleased 
 
 t 
 
 X 
 
 13 
 
 to express much approbation upon the different senti- 
 ments I have already advanced to its notice. — Let 
 me ask who in the end pays the charges upon the soil, 
 of wiiatsoever nature or description they may consist ; 
 why, the consumer^^ at last, pays the whole score, 
 let it be little or much. It is thus clearly shown that 
 the whole population of the country are concerned and 
 equally interested in the tithes remaining or in their 
 being removed. Grain is like, by way of comparison, 
 other matter ; it has been shown that it cannot be raised 
 without its being subject to the charges of the tithe, 
 and if this heavy impost, which is paid by the con- 
 sumer, can be in a great measure removed, without 
 doing an injustice to the owners, I say let it be done, 
 and that immediately. 
 
 I look upon the whole of the tithes to be within 
 the powder and at the disposal of the Government, for 
 the regions instruction of the people, and think they 
 ought to' be applied accordingly. I admit that they 
 have, from circumstances, got into the hands of private 
 individuals, and must now be bought of them, before 
 they can be placed upon the original intentions of their 
 founders ; they would thus be made of real service to 
 that portion of the community who chose to embrace 
 them. As before remarked, I w^ould not take one 
 farthing from the dues of the Church, but would make 
 a more equal distribution of the revenues arising from 
 the tenths of the land, after deducting all necessary 
 expenses in collecting the same from the soil, which 
 cannot, as I before said, be done for less than from 
 thirty to forty per cent. 
 
 It must be far greater injustice to suffer many vir- 
 tuous and eloquent preachers to pine away their lives 
 in the duties of the Church without the means of com- 
 fort, nay, without the assistance to enable them to ap- 
 pear as well off as their humble neighbours, and to 
 bring up their families in the station of life their pro- 
 fession entitles them to occupy, whilst some are revel- 
 ling in the greatest of luxuries, being allowed to hold 
 at the same time several livings or benefices, much 
 more than sufficient to make them comfortable and re- 
 spectable, and whilst the poor curate has barely enough 
 to enable him to subsist. This state of things proves 
 how monstrous is the present system, and how loudly 
 
 
 s/_ 
 
14 
 
 it calls for an immediate alteration, that justice may be 
 done to all parties connected with this much-abused 
 system. 
 
 From the earliest history of the different nations 
 upon the globe, we read they have all had a system of 
 worship, and have always made it a duty with them- 
 selves to pay their preachers. It has also been found 
 necessary that the Gospel should be preached by some 
 one ; secondly, that the preacher being worthy of his 
 hire should be paid for his labour ; and lastly, that a 
 part should be appropriated for building and repairing 
 t he C hjjj^^h, the means for elTec^ing'tTie same arising 
 iromsurplus tithes, which all well-disposed persons 
 acknowledge themselves liable to pay, and which in this 
 enlightened age we hope to see set right. 
 
 I hope I have said enough to remove any objections 
 that can be advanced against the alteration of the pre- 
 sent system of taking tithes. I have shown what has 
 been done by Acts of Parliament, which show to the 
 present or future ones, that it is first in their power 
 fully to alter ; secondly, to improve upon any system or 
 systems of taking, paying, or receiving tithes, or in 
 their appropriating them to the benefit, to the advant- 
 age and comfort of all those who are connected with 
 them. As to the lay-impropriators, the Government 
 should buy them all up at a fair market price ; a valua- 
 tion being made by parties properly appointed, as 
 before described — and who would be supposed to be 
 much better acquainted with the value of the tithes 
 than a person some thirty, forty, or fifty miles off. In 
 no case would I have them set and adjusted by any 
 person or persons from London, or from any other 
 great town, for I am fully convinced they cannot be so 
 well acquainted with their value as a resident in a rural 
 district. When purchased I would place them upon 
 the same footing, making this difference only, which 
 all should be subject to, — the incumbent should be paid 
 according to the duties he had to perform, and accord- 
 ing to the station and number of his hearers. How 
 pleasant and how satisfactory would it be, both to the 
 preacher and the hearer, to know the one was not at all 
 dependent on the other, but received his salary or 
 stipend direct from the Government, entirely indepen- 
 dent of those who sat under him. XUe preacher would 
 
 I 
 If 
 
 r t 
 
 t 
 
 i' 
 
 15 
 
 then introduce in his addresses all that compassionafe 
 language which would lay hold of the feelings of his 
 hearers, and would be much approved by them, as it 
 would be unconnected with any pecuniary motives. 
 Again, I am persuaded it would, were it well con- 
 sidered by the Clergy, be by far the most satisfactory 
 to them, as they are not, nor can they be supposed to 
 be men of business, and for want of proper information 
 they often suppose they are not dealt fairly with, which 
 has given rise to much unpleasant feeling between the 
 payer and receiver. The preceding system made into 
 a law would at once set this question at rest for ever, 
 and put an end to all jealousies, and restore good feel- 
 ing and harmony between the pastor and his ilock, to 
 their never ending comfort. If an}^ thing was ever 
 likely to restore the Church to its primitive state, it is 
 an Act of this sort, which will call down blessings on 
 the people. 
 
 I know there is a feeling with not a few, who say — 
 do not charge me with your system or manner of wor- 
 shipping the Deity, why not do as we do, that is pay 
 your own preacher and not tax us with him. Now I 
 will suppose that to be the case, what is to become of 
 the tithe revenues ? They are of course not to be 
 given up, after so long standing ; they could be paid 
 into the Exchequer it is true, and, forming part of the 
 public revenue, would relieve us in the repeal of some 
 portion of the taxation of the country. To this the 
 churchman does not agree, being fearful that those 
 who have been in the habit of attending at the 
 Church, would by the change neglect their duties, and 
 we should thus see the sabbath profaned. The lower 
 classes form nineteen twentieths of the congregation in 
 the rural districts, and nine-tenths in the large towns, 
 who, were they called upon to subscribe a something 
 out of their already too prescribed means, would stay 
 away rather than be charged with a subscription to- 
 wards the maintenance of their preacher. This sys- 
 tem he does not at all approve of, but answers the above 
 by saying — our Church doors are open and ready to 
 receive all who will come, come and hear us, and you 
 shall not be charged anything in addition to what you 
 already pay ; here is the same altar — the same creeds 
 your forefathers knelt to, their mouldering ashes sleep 
 within our walls in peace, come and we will receive 
 
16 
 
 you in good fellowship, and as brethren. If you will 
 not come, but set up a doctrine of your own, do not 
 ask us to release you from obligations you stand in, by 
 the laws of your country, the government have long 
 ago provided one established religion, and have invited 
 all who chose to come and embrace it, and for which 
 there is ample provision were the property distributed 
 for those who devote their time to its duties. If, how- 
 ever, from scruples, persons will not come, but set up 
 a doctrine of their own, and then call upon the church- 
 man to exempt them from those charges and dues that 
 are set apart for its services, because they are pleased 
 to dissent from them, — and thus deal hard with those 
 from whom they do dissent, in endeavouring to exempt 
 themselves (as the laws at present stand) from any 
 charges relating either to the tithes or the repairing of 
 those ancient edifices which are the greatest ornaments 
 in our land, and from whose altars the ministers have 
 never ceased to inculcate peace among their hearers, 
 and have ever sent forth instruction to the people — 
 such conduct is not fair, or treating them with that 
 justice they are entitled to. 
 
 It is well known to those who have made enquiry, 
 there was but one system of w^orshipping for ages, and 
 during that period the greater part of our churches 
 were built, in part by voluntary and Government sub- 
 scription, and all denominations of persons became 
 followers of that church, at the time the Catholic wor- 
 ship was broken up by Henry the VIII., and the bug- 
 bear of the Popes and their Bulls was thrown off. The 
 King declared himself the head of the Church in this 
 country, and established at once the Protestant religion, 
 which was becoming every day more and more sup- 
 ported by all descriptions and denominations of persons ; 
 inviting all his subjects to embrace it, without further 
 charges. There being already ample provision for the 
 preachers of this new established religion, all persons 
 buying, selling, or hiring, did so subject to the 
 payment of tithes being exacted from the rental 
 of the soil, which was considered to be set apart 
 to provide for those who performed the duties of the 
 Church. 
 
 It is thus plainly shown, first that there has long 
 been ample provision for the charges of the duties of 
 
 mL^ 
 
 17 
 
 the churches so as to exclude any further charges, not 
 only upon its present number of hearers but upon all 
 those who choose to join it. But if persons will absent 
 themselves from the Church and set up a new faith of 
 their own, it is but just they should pay for it, and not 
 call upon their neighbour to assist them in discharging 
 their preacher, which they do by claiming an exemption 
 from the tithes and repairs of the Church. 
 
 I beg to conclude the above remarks by stating 
 that in all I have said above, I have done so with due 
 deference to those who may not agree with me in my 
 propositions for the settlement of this great question. 
 There are some amongst us, I feel quite persuaded, 
 that nothing can please, and to them I should say, with 
 modesty and good feeling, — we have done the best for 
 you we could, and do hope you will profit by it. If, in 
 the above remarks, I have advanced one word calcu- 
 lated to create the smallest jealousy, it is what I never 
 intended. It is far from my wishes to interfere with 
 any one in the manner of his worshipping the Deity. 
 If I have thrown out any hint that can be improved 
 upon so as to be made available to the good of the com- 
 munity I shall be amply repaid the pains I have taken 
 in laying this before a generous public, who are ever 
 ready to forgive the errors of one who has a desire ot 
 doing good. 
 
 It may be said the Government have taken up the 
 subject of the tithes ; I admit they have, but there may 
 be a something in this little work which may serve as 
 a hint to improve the intended alteration. I had 
 written this small pamphlet before the Parliament met, 
 but I wished before I published it, to wait and see what 
 they intended to do respecting the tithes. Having done 
 so, I beg to observe, the proposed Bill if passed into a 
 law, will be extremely oppressive ; first, to the land- 
 owner, and secondly, to the occupier, where he is 
 under an engagement for a term of years. Having 
 commenced this my third publication, I felt it my duty 
 to show how utterly impossible it is to carry on the 
 occupation of the soil of this country, not at the low 
 price of 36s. per quarter, the gazetted price at Christ- 
 mas last, but at 40s. per quarter. JVt this latter 
 price I will prove to my reader, whether agricultural 
 or not, a statement that he cannot but understand. 
 
18 
 
 and one that no man of business can contradict ; 
 by which it will be seen, that without th(^ immediate 
 attention of the Legislature, to relieve this suffering 
 portion of the community, the most serious of evils 
 must be the consequence. If the remedy be too long 
 deferred, in numbers of instances the once wealthy and 
 respected landowners will be driven from their native 
 dwelling, and obliged to reside in a foreign land. This 
 would go far to lessen our independence as a nation, by 
 severing one of its strongest and best links, and in- 
 crease our present evils, by forcing a part of the most 
 useful from our local districts, with those members of 
 society who fill the magisterial bench, and who are the 
 dispensers of justice in all local matters. Their being 
 driven from us by their diminished incomes, would be 
 attended with a serious loss, in having thrown upon us 
 a certain number of domestics, who used to find em- 
 ployment and a home under their roofs in creditable 
 servitude, but who would, in that case, have to be 
 found employment in some way or other, so as to afford 
 them means to purchase the necessaries their station in 
 life would require. Thus an additional number of 
 hands would be thrown into the agricultural market for 
 labour, which could not be profitably employed. The 
 cultivators with great difficulties keep struggling on, 
 knowing well the price of 40s. per quarter will and 
 must ruin them, ere long, with all the indulgence he 
 can expect from his landlord : and lastly, the labourer 
 comes in for his full share of adversity with his two 
 brethren in the above-mentioned classes ; he says, I 
 cannot be literally worse off than I am — employment 
 is all I ask — I want nothing more — pay me the value 
 of my labour, and I am content. I have been told by 
 my father, and his father, that the poor man was always 
 capable of finding employment, and of living in com- 
 fort by the means afforded. And why (asks the la- 
 bourer) is it not so now ? I will answer for him, by 
 the statement which shall follow, and prove beyond 
 contradiction, however bold any one may be, that 
 no harm will happen to us, (even from the present 
 price,) but I will undeceive them, if they are not so 
 wilful as to shut their eyes to all truths and practical 
 statements. First, I will take a farm of one hundred 
 acres to make this statement by, — which is a preferable 
 quantity to a greater or less — upon a four-course sys- 
 tem, taking the average at two quarters six bushels per 
 
 \ 
 
 -{- 
 
 ^ f 
 
 IP 
 
 19 
 
 acre, although I have seen several public statements 
 lately, published since my first pamphlet came out, in 
 October last, stating the growth of the country to be 
 less than two quarters four bushels of wheat per acre, 
 which statement I do not agree with, but state it to be 
 from two quarters four to two quarters six bushels per 
 acre, which amounts to 550 bushels of wheat, and 
 which would make a wide difference in the figures, as 
 under : — 25 acres of wheat, at two quarters six bushels 
 per acre, at 40s. per quarter, amounting to the sum 
 of £137. 13s. I will first deduct the amount of charge 
 for tithes, for you must pay the tithe-owner or he will 
 soon begin to think you have forgotten him. Now I find 
 he charges 4s. 6d. per acre, amounting upon the gross 
 or landlord's measure to the sum of £24. 15s. and 
 requires 12 quarters 3 bushels of wheat to pay the 
 above sum, at 5s. per bushel, or by stating it in length 
 it is 99 bushels to discharge the tithe only. I will next 
 take the rent of land of an average quality, yielding 
 the above quantity of 2 quarters 6 bushels per acre ; 
 again I will take 2 bushels and 2 pecks per acre for 
 rent, see first pamphlet, page 27, which will give for rent 
 at 40s. per quarter, 12s. 6d. per acre, amounting for 
 the one hundred acres landlord's measure to the sum 
 of £62. 10s. and requires 6 loads, I quarter, and 2 
 bushels to pay the above sum, or in other words it 
 requires 250 bushels. Now if we add the above 2 
 quantities together, we shall find they absorb by far the 
 greater portion of the wheat crop, and when put 
 together stand thus — 
 Tithes.... 99 bushels > 349 bushels, leaving but 203 
 
 Rent 250 ditto ) bushels, 
 
 or 5 loads and I bushel to pay labour with, besides all 
 other expenses ; thus showing to the labourer it is no 
 wonder that he has experienced so much adversity, 
 first in not being regularly employed, and when em- 
 ployed not paid sufficient to enable hnn to participate in 
 the common necessaries that nature requires. The 
 man who follows husbandry requires more nourishment 
 than he can command by the proceeds of his labour. 
 I will, Sir, prove this by your allowing me this digres- 
 sion : I will show^ the situation of a labourer with a 
 wife and three children, which J find, as has before 
 been observed, constitutes an average as to family in 
 this country. I will take this as a standard, and will 
 take his wages at 10s. per week, and £4 for his harvest, 
 
20 
 
 21 
 
 which is the highest paid, and none but the first-rate 
 labourers can obtain this price; it is found upon an 
 average of seasons that the labourer loses several days 
 in the year in which he can do nothing, which lessens 
 very materially his small means. First it cost him for 
 shoes for himself and family Is. 6d. per week at the 
 very lowest ; secondly, his firing costs him Is. 4d. per 
 week, leaving but the small sum of 7s. 2d. per week, 
 and this sum, small as it is, must yet undergo a further 
 deduction to purchase clothes of all descriptions, and 
 necessaries such as threads, tapes, &c. &c. which can- 
 not be set at less than Is. 2d. per week, thus leaving 
 but the very diminished and small sum of 6s. to pur- 
 chase all the eatables for the support of five persons. 
 This must prove to the most sceptical the impossibility 
 of the labourer participating in such common neces- 
 saries as his station entitles him to expect and his con- 
 tinued exertions require. Last of all comes the heaviest 
 charge the poor man has to deal with — namely rent, which 
 1 will take at £3. 10s. ; a sum T am much afraid below 
 the average of labourers' cottages throughout the coun- 
 try. His wages for the month's harvest are but £4, his 
 rent £3. 10s. ; thus showing a balance of 10s. only, to 
 live upon during the harvest. It may be asked, how is 
 this managed ? It is thus — if the wife is in good health 
 she gathers between three and five bushels of glean 
 corn, which helps to make up the deficiency, and thus 
 get through. It must be further remarked, that both 
 the labourer and his wife require more necessaries at 
 this time than any other; for it not unfrequently 
 happens that the former is, from the time he leaves his 
 chamber till he returns to it again, occupied 18 hours 
 out of 24, which at once proves that an additional quan- 
 tity of nourishment is not only necessary, but must be 
 had to keep up his stamina at this particular season. 
 And who, let me ask, would deny to the labourer those 
 common necessaries, in gathering in the precious fruits 
 of the earth, which a gracious Providence has been 
 pleased to send. But to return to the subject — we have 
 only 201 bushels, or in other words, 5 loads 1 bushel, 
 to pav our labour with, besides all other charges. In 
 my ur< pamphlet, page I * '^ the amount of cost for 
 labour is Lii>, exclusive of beer. To meet this 
 amount we have only in wheat left 4 loads and 1 quar- 
 ter 6 bushels, which at 40s. per quarter, is £43. 10s. 
 to pay the above sum of £126 with. 
 
 > 
 
 fl 
 
 * 1^ 
 
 Thus, I think, I have plainly shown why, first the 
 willing labourer has not been able to find employment ; 
 and secondly, why, when employed, his wages have 
 not been sufficient to enable him to command such 
 a portion of necessaries as his station in life de- 
 mands. Perhaps it may be said by some, the writer 
 has not taken into account the barley and other crops, 
 and charges relative to the same ; those other charges 
 and receipts are fully described in my first pamphlet. 
 
 It is pretty well known to all practical men the 
 wheat crop is that part of the occupier's dependence 
 with which to meet at all times his heavy engagements, 
 and when it fails either in quantity, quality, or price, he 
 ceases to have the means to occupy, and finally makes 
 his exit, which has been the case to our sorrow in nu- 
 merous instances. The three wet seasons and the 
 unexampled low price of wheat for these last three 
 years, has been the cause of the very severe distress 
 that has rung in the ears of all classes of this community. 
 
 If the government should pass the present proposed 
 Tithe Bill, take the average of w^hat has been paid in 
 composition in lieu of tithe, and take the average of the 
 last seven years to go by, they will do a great injustice to 
 the land owner, and to the occupier where he is under any 
 engagement for a term of years. The system of taking 
 the tithes has for these thirty years past, with few 
 exceptions, been a wrong one, for the former and 
 rightful value of the tithes is only what is the amount 
 and produce of the soil in its natural state ; that is 
 without a large outlay upon it, in expensive fencing, 
 draining, and manuring, with artificial manures, such 
 as chalk, lime, &c. brought from a long distance at very 
 heavy expences, and by feeding cattle and sheep with 
 cake and corn, by which system the grazier gets but 
 little or nothing, and is often a loser. He, however, 
 consoles himself, that he shall improve his soil, and is 
 enabled by the above expensive system to grow more 
 corn, which I contend ought never to be taken advant- 
 age of by the tithe owner, whether clerical or lay pro- 
 priator. The increased tenth raised by this expensive 
 system, cannot in point of fairness belong to any but 
 to the producer. 
 
 I will now mention two or three instances to show 
 
'22 
 
 bow parties are paid tor doing the tiuties of some Fargc 
 parishes, and thus prove how highly necessarv it is to 
 put an end to this ever regretted system of dispensing 
 the revenues of this our Church. First, I iind the 
 parish of Aldershot^ in Hampshire, is given to the 
 Master of St. Cross Hospital ; the tithes amount to 
 £700 per annum ; the j)oor curate receives for doing 
 the duties the monstrous sum of £15 ])er year ; the 
 population amounting to near five hundred persons, 
 who are under the care and s[)iritual instruction of this 
 their teacher, and for his attention to the spiritual wel- 
 fare he is in receipt of the above sum. I'he second is 
 Hurstborn Priors, united with St. Mary Bourn, the 
 two parishes containing between four and live thousand 
 acres ; there are two churches and upwards of twelve 
 hundred inhabitants. 'I'he incumbent for doing the 
 duty of the two parishes receives £130 per annum ; 
 added to this, he receives a something out ot Queen 
 Anne's Bounty, which is nothing more nor less than a 
 portion of the taxes of the country appropriated to a 
 fund called Queen Anne's Bounty, and dealt out to the 
 different incumbents, where in some instances they 
 have not a sutlicienc}' to exist upon ; the tithes arising 
 from these two parishes amount to upwards of £700 
 per annum. The third is the parish of Bentley, in 
 Ham])shire, the tithes amounting to upwards of £800 
 per annum, the population 400, the incumbent receiving 
 for his clerical duties the magnanimous sum of £28 
 per annum ; the great tithes belong to the Archdeacon 
 of Surrev. These are onlv a sample of the manv which 
 it would be quite tedious to the reader to mention, 
 but any one having a desire to be made more fully 
 acquainted with the mode in which the revenues arising 
 from the tithes are disposed of, has nothing more to 
 do than to consult Rivington's Clerical Guide, which 
 contains a most elaborate statement of the tithes, and 
 the disposal of them. 
 
 At the commencement of this small pamphlet, T 
 said I would show what has been done respecting this 
 Church property, so far as relates to its being taken 
 from its original owners, who were Catholics, and given 
 to laymen and to those who embraced the Protestant faith. 
 The first act to be found upon the statute book, was 
 passed by Henry VHI. in the 27th year of his reign, in 
 the year 1535, which act gave him possession of all the 
 
 ^ m * 
 
 V f / 
 
 23 
 
 monasteries with all their immense estates that were at 
 that time in the possession of the Catholics ; the second 
 was in the 31st year of his reign, in the year 1539— this 
 latter act gave him possession of a considerable portion 
 of the great tithes, which he dealt out to his courtiers 
 and others as it pleased him, — thus showing first^what 
 has been done by a Parliament, which is a precedent 
 to this our present or future Parliament, and proving 
 it to be in their power— first, to alter, amend, and 
 improve ; and, secondly, to place this long-abused 
 system upon a footing of justice to those who will, in 
 future, become the incumbents of the different livings 
 throughout the country, creating a harmony in that 
 department of the state so much wanting,' and so 
 desirable to see put into practice. 
 
 I shall now proceed to state how this all-important 
 question can be settled with justice to all parties con- 
 nected with it ; and when once passed into a law, it 
 may remain so for a thousand years, ay, for ever, or 
 as long as England shall remain in a state of civil 
 society. I recommend, first, that an Act of Parlia- 
 ment be passed to alter and amend the laws relating to 
 tithes, to come into force froip and after Michaelmas- 
 day, 1838. I should have said, it is not my intention 
 to go into the full detail of this measure, as it would 
 swell this pamphlet much beyond its intended limits, 
 but shall compress my stateme^nts to as small a space as' 
 I can. The landowners and the occupiers of the 
 country have been struggling with an unparalleled 
 distress ever since the war ceased in 1815, which has 
 reduced thousands of owners and occupiers to poverty. 
 Of the various burthens they have had to contend 
 with, the tithe has been one of the most serious, and 
 has always been a great hindrance in the improve- 
 ment of the soil, as well as the employment of the 
 labourer. The'maintenance of the labourer, when he 
 has become chargeable to the parish, has fallen more 
 heavily upon the tillers of the soil, as four to one, than 
 upon any other portion of the community ; again, the 
 Malt Tax has increased this charge; thus showing 
 that the soil of this country is taxed to an enormous 
 extent; and if there is a chance of relieving it of some 
 portion of this oppressive taxation, without inflicting 
 an injustice on any party, I say let it be done. If 
 observations like these will not arouse and create an 
 
J 
 
 24 
 
 interest with those who are so materially concerned in 
 them, I cannot tell what can be advanced that will ; 
 perhaps from their indifference and inattention, they 
 may be saddled with a law that will inflict a lasting 
 evii upon them and their posterity. 
 
 I beg to observe, further, if the present proposed 
 bill of my Lord John Russell is passed and carried into 
 effect, it will inflict the greatest piece of injustice, first 
 upon the owners, by a depreciation of the value of 
 their soil to let, it being subject to a certain and serious 
 charge, not taking into account its natural disadvantages, 
 but its state of cultivation only ; secondly, it will affect 
 all those who are under existing engagements the re- 
 mainder of their term, and thus increase instead of 
 lessen their present charge for tithes. 
 
 Again, I conceive it quite a fallacy to go back 
 for a term of seven years to draw a medium by ; we 
 want no such thing, for a far better plan is at hand. I 
 would appoint a board of not less then five of our 
 gentlemen in the commission of the peace in each 
 county ; they should have a register oftlce in every 
 county town, where they should meet from time to 
 time to hear all appeals, if any should occur, between 
 the opinion of the owners, the occupiers, and the 
 valuers. I would then have the dimensions of every 
 parish, and the names of the patron and incumbent 
 registered, with the names of the owners and occupiers 
 of the different estates, and the amount of the present 
 assessment, which would serve as a guide or reference 
 when recjuired. Secondly, I would appoint three of 
 the most practical men in the county, from different 
 districts, who should be thoroughly acquainted with 
 all the different culture and process of occupations in 
 the same, and who should go over, not only every 
 farm, merely crossing it, but should go into every 
 field, and take into account the different advantages 
 and disadvantages of the same, which would enable 
 them to come to a much more just conclusion. If this 
 ever should take place, let it be done properly, as it 
 will then be likely to settle at once all the different 
 opinions that may arise upon it. These gentlemen, the 
 surveyors, should not be paid at the extravagant rate 
 of five but at three guineas per diem, which would 
 amply remunerate them for their time and services, 
 
 t 
 
 a 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
 26 
 
 and include all charges. When they came to their 
 own property and occupations, the owner should step 
 on one side, and the two, with the assistance of the 
 nearest surveyor in the adjoining county, should assess 
 the property. By thus conducting the valuation, it 
 would at once do away with all jealousy as to the 
 managing this important business, and put an end to 
 all disputes in future. A fair and just assessment 
 would thus be arrived at, and nearer the value nine 
 times out of ten than could be determined by any of 
 the valuators of the metropolis, who cannot, for want 
 of practical information, be able to form so just an 
 opinion as those whose time and lives have been spent 
 in the occupation of the soil. I would have the valua- 
 tion so made as to relate to the value of the land to 
 let only, taking into account its natural state, and its 
 capability of producing a given quantity of wheat or 
 other grain, which is the grain that almost all our 
 valuations are made by, and our rents drawn from. 
 Perhaps it may be advisable to take in barley and 
 oats in the more northern counties, where wheat is 
 not the staple article of the soil ; I would have no 
 reference as to the present amount of rents charged, 
 as that would inflict a great piece of injustice upon 
 the occupiers, for there are thousands of instances 
 w^here the rent is too high by one-third, according to 
 the present prices. There is land in this parish that 
 is charged from ten to twelve shillings per acre more 
 than it is worth. If the value of the tithe is to be 
 drawn either from the present state of the culture of 
 the soil, or by the present rents, it would inflict great 
 injustice upon the occupier, and at the end of the term 
 the owner would have the good luck to be saddled with 
 a new tithe charge in perpetuity. The proposed bill 
 will at the end of all the existing engagements with the 
 occupiers affect the owners of the soil, and they will 
 find, when too late, they have been saddled with a rent 
 charge upon their estates for ever, and their land must 
 be let subject to their paying the tithe, as it will not be 
 any part or bargain with the tenant ; he, being made 
 acquainted with the amount of charge for the tithe, 
 hires it accordingly. To make it more plainly under- 
 stood, I will suppose two farms equally situated, and 
 of a quality that will yield for rent with good cultiva- 
 tion, three bushels per acre, with wheat at 5s. per 
 bushel, gazetted price, amounting to 15s. per acre for 
 
H"»jf5 
 
 1 I 
 
 
 
 £. s 
 18 
 
 (1. 
 
 
 
 acre, and 
 
 20 
 
 rent — new system of charge for tithe Gs. per acre ; the 
 landlord stipulating with the tenant to pay the same, he 
 hires accordingly— namely, by giving 12s. per acre 
 instead of 15s. per acre, thus' leaving the landlord to 
 pay the difference of 3s. per acre out of his own pocket. 
 If we show it in figures it stands thus — 
 Rent at 3 bushels per acre, and os. per 
 
 bushel 15s. 
 
 New system of tithe, exclusive of 
 
 deduction Gs. 
 
 The two sums above, amounting to 3s. per acre more 
 than the occupier can afford to give, which makes the 
 account as under — 
 
 Rent 3 bushels per acre, at 5s. per- 
 
 bushel 15s. 
 
 One-fifth part of the proved value 
 
 of land, at los. per acre, is the 
 
 full value of the tithe, including 
 
 all cost and charges in collecting, 
 
 getting to market, &c 3s.. 
 
 the two sums amounting to 18s. per 
 which sum is all the land can be made to bear, for if 
 anv further sum is charged upon it, the cultivator can- 
 not bear up against his expenses, as shown in my first 
 pamphlet, pages 9 and 10. The cultivators of the soil 
 cannot continue to occupy without an abatement of their 
 indirect taxes, and the landowner cannot be expected 
 to bear the whole. The tithe owner must always bear 
 in mind that the occupier has to pay a heavy charge, 
 in the shape of indirect taxation, in raising the amount 
 of composition which is paid in lieu of tithe, in labour, 
 first in cultivating, and secondly, in gathering, housing, 
 and getting them to market. It has been plainly shown 
 that Lord John Russell's proposed alteration would in- 
 flict a lasting injustice upon the owner of the soil, and 
 a further additional charge upon the tenantry, so long 
 as their present engagements are in existence. 
 
 But, Sir, to return to the object of this letter, I 
 would have the Act framed to instruct the valuators 
 to assess the value of all lands to occupy at the rate 
 of ten pounds per load, taking into account the different 
 properties and capabilities of production with good 
 culture, and without any additional expenditure ; with 
 the advantages and disadvantages of the different oc- 
 
 
 27 
 
 cupations, to let at the above-named price, which should 
 regulate all future prices, if you once can determine 
 how much in a given quantity of wheat, barley, or 
 oats per acre a certain farm or farms will give for rent, 
 according to the natural qualities of the soil, as I not 
 only contend you can, but am quite satisfied it can 
 be done, with as much correctness as you can set the 
 rent in the usual way. When you have once arrived 
 at this, you have overcome all your difficulties, and 
 have attained a solid basis, as I before observed, which 
 will last as long as civil society exists in Britain. The 
 prices should range between ten and twenty pounds 
 per load, for as observed in my first pamphlet, page 26, 
 wheat is never likely to average a higher price than 
 twenty pounds per load, on account of the great 
 facility of steam navigation. I should say, without a 
 great dearth, it will seldom, if ever, reach that price, 
 and should it do so it will not continue long. I feel 
 (|uite satisfied the occupation of the soil of this heavily 
 taxed country cannot be carried on at a less average 
 price for wheat than £14 per load, with full average 
 crops, barley at an average price of 35s. per quarter, 
 oats at 26s. per quarter, beans and peas at 40s. 
 per quarter. With the above prices, the malt-duty 
 totally repealed, the tithe commuted and placed 
 upon the after described system, and the currency 
 put upon a proper basis, the occupiers w^ould be 
 able, by adhering to the strictest economy to meet 
 their expences. 1 shall begin with soil of an average 
 quality, (see page 27, in my first pamphlet,) which will 
 yield, if properly cultivated, two quarters six bushels 
 per acre ; although, as before observed, I have seen 
 two able statements less by four bushels per acre than 
 the above ; one was from the central committee of 
 Yorkshire, held at the end of last year ; the other I 
 cannot at this moment call to mind ; two quarters six 
 bushels per acre will give for rent at 6s. 6d. per 
 bushel, or £13 per load, 16s. 3d. per acre. This 
 sum, ranging between £10 and £20 per load, the 
 charge for tithe should rise and fall with the price of 
 wheat, between the above two sums. The tithe- 
 owner would then participate with the land-owner, the 
 occupier being subject to pay more or less, according 
 to the rise and fall of the gazetted price, made up 
 at Michaelmas, once a year, and taking the average 
 for the whole year, which I conceive to be the most 
 
28 
 
 fair, plain, and easy way to go by. Having arrived 
 at this, as I conceive, solid basis for rent, for I can- 
 not suppose what can be brought forward to upset 
 it ; now follows the question, what portion or amount 
 of charge upon the rent would be equivalent to the 
 tithe-owner in lieu of tithes. Having seen and heard 
 of different statements as to amount, some more and 
 some less, where a portion of tlie tieldings was 
 enclosed in the different western counties, I find that 
 the portion set apart for the clergy was a sixth, but 
 our lands having been long enclosed, and not being 
 subject to this charge, 1 conceive, to do justice to the 
 receiver as well as the payer, that one-fifth of the 
 amount of rent for arable, and one-seventh for pasture 
 of a certain quality, (a more ordinary qualitv should be 
 charged but one-eighth, and the more ordinary but 
 one-ninth,) would be a just medium between the paver 
 and receiver, clear of any deductions, which should 
 be as above stated, subject to rise and fall, between the 
 two sums of ten and twenty pounds per load. I have 
 no hesitation in saying it is 'first a just payment between 
 the parties, and secondly one that is the very nearest 
 the value that can be determined upon. Perhaps it 
 may be said by some that one-fifth is too large a portion 
 and too serious a charge upon the soil. In answer 
 to that observation, 1 feel no hesitation in stating 
 that the cultivator would gladly continue it rather 
 than be either harassed or made liable to have the 
 advantage taken of his improvements, by an additional 
 charge, when such have been made. I would not 
 recommend to make any difference in the two sums 
 mentioned, where there was not more than twenty 
 acres to the hundred in pasture ; where there is that 
 quantity of good sound pasture to the hundred acres 
 it increases the value to occupiers, but over that 
 quantity it should become subject to the latter pavment, 
 namely, one-seventh part of the rent. Terhaps'it may 
 be said by some, why continue to charge me one-fifth 
 upon the estimated value of my land as arable, as 1 
 have now laid it down into pasture, it being more 
 pleasant for me to do so, or it being a soil quite 
 exhausted from cropping, and I wish to make trial of 
 what resting and grazing will do for it. I would 
 allow the parties to do so, and come under an exemption, 
 but not until it had been laid down for three years ; after 
 that period it should come into the class of one-seventh, 
 
 1 
 
 29 
 
 but not if there were not more than twenty acres of 
 pasture to the hundred, for I feel fully persuaded that 
 a larger amount can be drawn from one hundred acres 
 of land where there is twenty acres of pasture, than a 
 less (juanti y, or when the whole hundred is arable 
 deducting the different expences of the culture of the 
 one and the other, with or without the pasture. A-ain 
 T find from my own reasoning and taking into account 
 
 Ittonllfr'''?^' '^°"^'^i"S'/nd getting to market, 
 tliat one-fifth part or amount of the rent is a full value 
 or charge for the tithe, taking into account the cer- 
 
 sn'hiZf°fM r^Y"''"*' .*''? landowner being made 
 subject to Its discharge, which would at once supersede 
 all losses, and would at all times be consolatory to the 
 ti he-owner. One fifth is a full tithe where land is 
 cultivated without artificial measures, such as chalk 
 ime, and other expensive manures, brought from a 
 long distance, or by feeding cattle or sheep with cake 
 and corn as before observed, and by expensive fencing, 
 •Iraining &c ; all this assists the soil in producing 
 an additional quantity of grain, which never did in 
 justice belong to or ought to have been collected bv 
 tne tithe-owner, whether clerical or lay. 
 
 From the best of information, and from the different 
 calculations that have been made, it appears that the 
 above named sums are the very nearest that can be 
 determined upon as to the value of the tithe, as a rent- 
 cnarge upon the soil. In endeavouring to arrive at a 
 conclusion, 1 have had some hesitation, as my only 
 wish IS (not to trespass upon either party, either payer 
 or receiver) that the tithe owner should make up his 
 mind to take something less than he would under the 
 Old system, which cannot be endured any longer, and 
 Which has caused so much unpleasant feeling between 
 the payer and receiver, that it calls aloud for its imme- 
 diate removal. It has been found and admitted upon 
 all sides to have been a great hindrance in the culture 
 oi toe soil. I find from inquiry that upon the poorer 
 and heavy soi s in this county, where they have been 
 well cultivated, they have been paying a composition 
 to the amount of near one-third of their rents, which is 
 a most ruinous charge ; upon the better soils they have 
 paid one-fourth. 
 
 To explain it further, I will take a farm of one 
 
i 
 
 30 
 
 hundred acres — the rent at 1 6s. per acre. The occu- 
 piers have been paying a composition of 4s. 6d. per 
 acre, and upon the soil let at 20s. per acre, a composi- 
 tion of 5s. and in some cases 5s. 6d. per acre, which 
 cannot be borne any longer, at the low price we have 
 experienced for our produce. If we set the rent at 
 16s. 3d. per acre, and take one-fifth of the amount as 
 charge for tithe, it gives 3s. 3d. per acre, which is a 
 very full tithe, with wheat at £13 per load, for two 
 bushels and two pecks per acre of wheat at 6s. 6d. per 
 bushel gives the above sum. If wheat should again 
 reach the average price of £16 per load, the charge for 
 rent would be 2| bushels per acre, at 8s per bushel, 
 making 20s. per acre ; a fifth would be 4s. per acre for 
 the tithe, and where is the person who will not admit, 
 if he understands the expensive process of the culture 
 of the soil, that 4s. per acre is not only a full, but a 
 remunerative price for the tithe. When the clergy are 
 made fully to understand that the present system of 
 charge and collection of the tithe has done great in- 
 justice to the owners and the occupiers of the soil, they 
 will, I feel persuaded, be ready to relinquish it, and be 
 quite prepared to receive what is a just and fair ])ortion 
 of its fruits, after the expenses of culture are deducted, 
 and not be like the sons of the priest of old, who were 
 not willing to take that part which was appointed for 
 them, but thrust in the ilesh hook, and took the best 
 and fattest of the meat. 
 
 Perhaps it may be said by some, — where wheat is 
 at the low price of £10 per load, two bushels and two 
 pecks will give for rent 1 2s. 6d. per acre, and that one- 
 fifth for tithe (2s. 6d. per acre) appears to be a low 
 sum ; but, in truth, it is too high, for it should be 
 borne in mind that the soil, at the price of £10 per 
 load, is cultivated, as shown in my first pamphlet, at 
 considerable loss. The occupiers, since the year 1814, 
 have not only experienced great losses in farming, but 
 many thousands have been brought to poverty, whilst 
 the tithe owner has received more than he was 
 entitled to. Again, the tithe owner should bear in 
 mind the ruinous low price we have experienced for 
 several years past, and whether clerical or lay, should be 
 ready to help bear a part of his neighbour's adversity. 
 
 It may be answered by some that they have done 
 
 31 
 
 so ; and this I am quite ready to admit, but to nothing 
 like the amount of loss experienced. This plan of 
 alteration of the tithe would be consolatory to the 
 tithe owner, inasmuch as he would be made acquainted 
 with the amount, and knowing it to be subject to 
 deduction, only by the regulation scale by which it 
 would be set, he could not complain. 
 
 I hope. Sir, in the preceding observations and 
 proposed alterations, I have not in the smallest matter 
 trespassed upon the right of either party, as it is far, 
 very far, from my wish. I have nothing more in view 
 than to protect one party, and at the same time not to 
 commit an injustice upon the other. My humble 
 efforts in my two former pamphlets having been re- 
 ceived with much approbation, I have been emboldened 
 to trespass my sentiments a third time upon a generous 
 public, who, I intreat to bear in mind the spiritual 
 recommendation of the great apostle, who says — " If 
 I give all my goods to the poor, and my body to be 
 burnt, and have not charity, I am as sounding brass or 
 a tinkling cymbal, it availeth me nothing." I call upon 
 my reader to exercise all the charity that is here recom- 
 mended, towards one whose only aim and hope is, that 
 there may be found, in this my third attempt, a some- 
 thing that will help to smooth the rugged path of ours 
 through this life of trial, and should that be found, 
 I shall be abundantly compensated in this endeavour to 
 reconcile and improve the condition of my fellow men. 
 
 I am. Sir, 
 Your very obedient humble servant. 
 
 JAMES TRUSSELL. 
 
 WOODHAM FERRIS, 
 April, ]83G. 
 
 CHALK AND CO. PRINTERS, CHELMSFORD.