C 241 ] 



In thofe days, when money was fcarcely known as 

 a circulating medium, and not only the rent of the 

 land itfelf was paid with part of its produce, but the 

 little trade then known was merely a barter of one 

 commodity for another, a payment to the clergy in 

 money would have been as juftly reprobated as the 

 payment of tithes in kind is at this time; 



It is the difference in the manners and cujioms of 

 the times, that has altered our ideas of the nature of 

 this provifion for the clergy, fo as to render that 

 payment a grievance, which our forefathers paid 

 without grudging, and which indeed they could have 

 paid in no other way. 



Another reafon for the diffatisfaftion which for 

 the laft two centuries has attended this payment, is 

 the alienation of a very great part of the tithes of 

 the kingdom, made by King Henry the Eighth at the 

 diffolution of the religious houfes, whereby they 

 were taken from the church and vefted in lay- 

 owners ; this alteration ftriking entirely at the meri- 

 torious part of the payment, and making that a tax 

 upon the land, which in its firfl inftitution was a per- 

 fonal payment by one fet of men to another, in the 

 nature of Tifalary for fervices performed by the latter 

 to the former. 



But, however detrimental tithes may be to agri- 

 culture at this time, or however their original nature 

 may be altered, it cannot be denied that agriculture 



VOL. vni. R has 



