Besides the support and encouragement given by the elergy, I ought also to bear testimony to the ready and cordial co-operation of the parish officers; and to state, that in almost every instance, as far as laid in their power, and the circumstances of the case would allow, an evident desire was shown, not only to pay due attention to, but to anticipate my wishes, which was pleasingly manifested by their having availed themselves of the suggestions offered to them in my first charge, thereby, in most instances, relieving me from the irksome duty of pointing out cases of neglect and disorder, and more frequently calling upon me to express, in terms of merited commendation, my approval of the exertions that had been already made, or were then making, to put the churches and other ecclesiastical concerns in a respectable state against the time of my arrival.

It is not only to you, therefore, my reverend brethren, these acknowledgments are due, but also to the churchwardens of the several parishes I have visited; who, by virtue of their office, an office of high antiquity and of considerable importance, are in an especial manner connected with me; and whose influence and authority may be always most usefully and successfully exerted, in a prudent co-operation with the incumbent, and where the case requires it, under the sanction of the ordinary: not only by a liberal application of the money which they are authorized to raise and employ in the maintenance of our religious buildings, by such necessary repairs as may ensure the duration of the fabric; but likewise in a suitable attention to that decency, cleanliness, and comfort, which ought, doubtless, to correspond with our ordinary mode of living in our domestic habitations; since these are essentially requisite to communicate and encourage those serious impressions which the mind is ever prepared to receive on entering the house of God; and which will best dispose us for the contemplation of those awful truths which are there taught, and for a devout participation in the solemn offices of our holy religion.

On this account, as well as from the support that it must give to the parochial minister, in his endeavours to restrain licentiousness, and in regulating the morals of his flock, I

wish to call your attention to the advantages that will arise from nominating persons of property and influence in the parish to fill the office of churchwarden; and, as custom has in general given to the Incumbent the exclusive appointment of one of these officers, the measure I recommend may be more easily and securely effected, so as ultimately to obtain the most beneficial consequences to the parish.

After completing the inspection of the whole of this archdeaconry, including the city of Westminster, the county of Middlesex, and four deaneries in Hertfordshire and Essex, containing nearly one hundred and sixty parishes, exclusive of the peculiars, I am now enabled, with increased satisfaction, to confirm what I stated to you at our last meeting, from a more partial and imperfect acquaintance with the subject, that out of the whole number of parishes, under all the varieties of situation and circumstances which attach to them respectively, I have met with very few churches in such an advanced state of decay as to occasion a charge upon the parish for their restoration that can be thought in any degree burthensome; whilst in numberless instances this seasonable exercise of my authority has awakened attention, and opened a way to the knowledge of some important particulars and latent defects; which, had they been suffered to remain much longer unattended to would have proved highly injurious, and even hazardous to the existence of many neglected and decaying

structures.

It cannot be expected that I should enter, on this occasion, into any description of the state of the churches I have visited, when the extent and immense population of this division of the diocese is considered; nor would it be an easy task to offer any specific rules for their alteration and improvement ; particularly when it is understood, that my jurisdiction, whilst it includes some of the largest, the most populous and wealthy parishes in the kingdom, also comprehends many others of the direct contrary description; where, from the limited income of the incumbent, the small extent of the parish, and the very scanty pecuniary resources, to be raised only on farms let at rack-rent, even the most necessary repairs, and the most humble pretensions to decency and general neatness, can with difficulty be obtained.

When we consider the state of the large parishes in the western part of the metropolis, and its immediate vicinity, it is a natural and very probable conclusion to make, that this immense and rapid increase of population must have proved injurious to the interests of the established church, whilst it has afforded favourable aid to the views of the sectaries; although the force of this observation is in some degree weakened, by the too frequent instances that occur, of their having obtained a footing, and established themselves with unlookedfor success, in places where no such excuse can be offered for their admission, nor for the conduct of those misguided persons who flock to these new and unaccredited teachers in preference to their own national church and lawful minister. Still I have no hesitation in pronouncing, from all I have been able to observe myself, or collect from others, that great and important benefits would follow; and that many who now wander away from the fold might be induced to return, if better accommodation could be provided, and more effectual encouragement given, in these very extensive and crowded parishes, to the middle and lower classes of the inhabitants to frequent the worship of the established church, by the erection of free churches, where they are required, or else by allotting to them a larger share of accommodation in the churches and chapels already established, by such means as circumstances should point out.

It is not only in the larger towns, but in the more retired villages it will be found that nothing produces a more visible influence in obtaining respect for, and attaching the inhabitants to, their own proper place of worship, than a neat, warm, respectable parish church, where an appropriate character of sanctity is preserved in the building, the furniture, and the ornaments; especially when these circumstances are accompanied by the sincere and zealous exertions of a pious and attentive minister.

Had my parochial visitation therefore been limited in its effects, to the occasion it gave for clearing away the accumulated dust and dirt of more than a century, for removing the disgusting appearance of damp from the walls and pavement, and thus contributing to the wholesomeness and comfort of

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these sacred buildings, I should feel that I had performed a service to the cause of religion that sufficiently repaid me for my time and trouble. But I am willing to indulge the pleas ing assurance, that more lasting effects, and more important benefits may preserve the remembrance of this parochial inspection; that these venerable fabrics have received material and lasting benefit; that in many instances the injuries occasioned by the mouldering hand of time, or the more rapid consequences of neglect or mismanagement, have now been judiciously attended to, and effectually remedied.

Without attempting a particular description of the state of the churches, it may perhaps be of use that I should briefly enumerate a few of the most prominent causes of premature injury or decay, by a knowledge of which the recurrence of similar evils may be most easily and certainly avoided. Of these, one of the most serious is the practice, which too much prevails, especially in large and populous towns, of burying within the walls of the church; this is a custom which ought by all means to be checked and discouraged; and, as it is an indulgence which rests entirely with yourselves, you have the remedy in your own hands; but whenever a proper occasion occurs for granting this permission, the utmost caution should be used, not only in the choice of the situation for the vault, that neither the walls of the church, nor the pillars which support the roof, may be endangered by the excavation, but also that the vault itself be so securely built and covered over, that no unwholesome exhalations may escape, and that no future settlement of the ground may take place. To ignorance, or a want of attention on the part of the persons employed in these works, some of our finest churches have been actually thrown down; and it is entirely owing to this cause that we so often see the pavement irregular, which not only gives a mean and unsightly appearance to the interior of the building, but is often dangerous to the elderly and more feeble part of the congregation.*

* The case of Chelmsford church, which suddenly fell down a few years ago, will be in the recollection of many of my readers. This tremendous accident was entirely owing to the excavation of the ground near the base of one of the principal pillars.

Another, and not less frequent, cause of serious injury to the walls of our churches, is the rash and unskilful attempts of inexperienced workmen in their mode of conducting repairs, or what are very improperly termed improvements. This evil is chiefly owing to our present mode of building, and the materials now employed, which are so different to what were used in the original structure of these ancient Gothic edifices, where every opening (whether door or window) was formed of one entire frame of masonry, nicely wrought and firmly jointed together; whilst the other parts of the wall were composed of loose rubble-stones, without bond or strength, and often with scarcely any cement to unite them. Every attempt, therefore, that is made by unskilful hands to alter the form, size, or situation of the original windows, is almost sure to produce lasting and irreparable mischief. And it is owing to this, more than to any other cause, that we find so many of our churches and chancels in a dilapidated state. Let the mischief that has already happened prove a salutary lesson of caution for the future; and let it remind you, when repairs are wanting, or alterations are pro jected, to give sufficient consideration to the subject; and to commit the conduct of such work to persons of judgment and experience, who should always be attentive to study the original design and principle of strength in the building, and to restore the weakened parts with the same materials, and on a similar plan.

When want of light is complained of, before new openings are made, it will be advisable to see that better glass is used in the windows, and that they are kept free from dust and dirt,

An act passed in Ireland, in the year 1772, forbidding, under a penalty, to bury within the walls of any church or chancel, or to open any grave or vault within twelve feet distance of the foundation of the church. Should it be thought expedient to adopt a similar regulation in this country, it would not be difficult to provide a remedy for any diminution of income the incumbent might sustain by the loss of the customary fees. Since the delivery of this charge, the venerable and judicious Dr. Hurd, bishop of Worcester, who used frequently to observe, in reference to this subject, that churches were erected for the living, and not for the dead,” has left a lasting memorial of his sentiments, by giving particular directions in his will that his body should be interred in the church-yard at Hartlebury.