[ 199 ] 



IBID. p. 54. 



The commutation of tithes has been long ardently 

 wiflied for by every real friend to the profperity of 

 his country; and 'till this is accompiiflied, agricul- 

 ture mufl always flruggle with great difficulties. 

 We would be the laft perfons that would wifti to 

 injure private property of any kind, or trench upon 

 the rights of fo refpedlable a body as the Church 

 of England, whofe learning, charadler, and merit, 

 require no frefh eulogiums. But furely if the mode 

 of coUefting that property be injurious to the publick- 

 welfare, and detrimental to its profperity, fome other 

 method ought to be devifed by which this tax might 

 be paid, without occafioning fuch injury. 



We have heard of many plans for reforming the 

 tithe fyftem, and which are all attended with confi- 

 derable difficulty. We are decidedly againfl: giving 

 land in lieu of them, as there is too much land in 

 mortmain already in the kingdom. We fliall mention 

 two fchemes, either of which will remove the obfta- 

 cle occafioned by tithes to improving agriculture, and 

 will be attended with beneficial confequences to the 

 tithe-holders themfelves. 



I/?. Let all the tithes be valued by proper perfons 

 in each parifli, under the authority of a Board infli- 

 tuted for that purpofe; this valuation to remain un- 

 alterable, and be the rule of payment in all time 

 coming. This would make proper- compenfation to 

 tlic holders, whether laymen or ecclcfiaflicks, and 



would 



