q THE 
MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
Neo Series. 
Vou. VI] AUGUST, 1828. [No. 32. 
SELECT VESTRIES. 
In the constitution of the vestries in which the local affairs of its 
parishes are managed, England exhibits as much whimsical variety as 
France did in her provincial laws previously tg their consolidation by 
Napoleon into one national code. Just as accident may determine it, 
these vestries will be found to be sometimes what is termed parish—at 
_ others, select. Select vestries may have their origin either in ancient 
usage or statutory enactment; and those originating in the latter again 
differ in their constitutions, according as they happen to be established 
in conformity to an act of parliament general in its application, or are 
regulated by those of a private and local character. 
“ Heretofore,” says Tomlins, “the bishop and priests sat together in 
vestries to consult of the affairs of the church—in resemblance of which 
ancient custom the minister, churchwardens, and chief men do at this 
day make a-parish vestry.” A parish vestry, then, is nothing more than 
an assembly for parish purposes of the minister, churchwardens, and as 
many of the individuals assessed to the church-rate, or paying scot-and-lot, 
as like to attend. The votes of the majority constitute the voice of the 
meeting ; but, by the 58 Geo. III., c. 69, due notice of every meeting is 
required to be given by publication on the church-door ; and the num- 
ber of votes to each individual rendered proportionate to the amount of 
his property assessed. The extreme number is, however, in every case, 
restricted to six. 
Vestries of this last description are what the law terms of “ common 
right ;’ but all select vestries, not originating under the provisions of an 
act of parliament, are at this day supportable only on the ground of long 
usage. In general, these are nothing more than an annual delegation of 
the management of the parish affairs to a body chosen by the parishioners. 
A custom allowing the vestrymen peculiarly to supply the vacancies in 
their own body, can be sustained only in ancient prescription. 
_ The statutory provision, in virtue of which the rest exist, may now be 
considered as comprised under Mr. Sturges Bourne’s act, the 59 Geo. III., 
¢. 12, and the several local acts peculiar to each. By the former, a power is 
given to any parish in the kingdom, not regulated by private acts, to put 
its affairs under the management of a vestry, composed of the clergyman 
and the substantial householders of the parish, in numbers not exceeding 
twenty, nor less than five. By the provisions of the act, the office is 
M.M. New Series. Vou VI. No. 32. Q 
