l68 On the Cojiverjhn of 



been fet upon them, to be offered to the owner at that valua- 

 tion*. When the tithes are fold, the money fliould be in- 

 vefted in the funds ; and Mr. Clolc calculates, that half, or 

 at moft three-fourths, of the intereft arifing from this capital 

 •would pay the clergy their prcfent incomes, and the furplus 

 to accumulate for their benefit fliould provifions, &c. advance. 

 In order that the annuitants fliould receive an adequate coni- 

 penfation if any fuch advance took place, the average price 

 of wheat fliould be taken once in four or five vears, and a 

 proportionate addition be made to tlieir incomes as the corn 

 had advanced. This nieafuic is piopofed by Mr. Cole to 

 originate with the crown. Be calculates that the livings 

 jiow in the patronage of his majefly amount to about 

 1 10,000 1. per annum, to which fhould be added at leaft 

 one-third to make their full value, which would come to 

 about 146,0001. per annum. ]f ihcfe tithes were fold at 

 only twenty-fix years purchafe, it would produce a capital of 

 3,796,0001., which, at only four per cent., would fecure to 

 the clergy holding fuch preferment their full income, and 

 leave above 40,0001. a year to acciunulate for their benefit 

 fliould any unforefeen accident ariCe. Bv this fchenie, nei- 

 ther his majefly nor any other patron of a livinii would be 

 deprived of their patronage. 



To obviate the ditHculties attending an inclofure of wafle 

 land, Mr. Clofe propoCes, infiead of a bill being brought 

 into parliament, that there fliould be an a6l " to empower 

 the manillratcs at quarter Jeflions to judge of the expediencv 

 or inexpediency of fuch iuclolure," and that the uf'ual no- 

 tices fliould be given of fuch a meafure in the county papers, 

 Sec. — 'fhe bench of magiflrates fliould appoint five aiHing 

 magifirates who are entirely difintereftcd in the inclofure; 

 thel'e five to appoint two commifhoncrs, who fhall be fworn 

 to do juftice to all parlies in adjudging the clainis. 'fhefe 

 coniminioners fliould have a certain fum (lir(i agreed upon) 

 paid them, and by no means to be paid by the day or mile ; 

 and not to att upon more than one inclofure at the fame 

 time. Should any difpute arife, the nuigifirates to decide, 

 and the party aijainlt whom fuch a decifion is made, to pay 

 allcoftsf- Mr. Cole obfervcs, that as this is empowering 



the 



* There are few proprietors, I believe, in this country, from all I urn 

 able to learn, who would not jump at fuch a piopofal, were the tithes va- 

 lued at a price worth his attention. 



f It is with great deference I beg lc:ivc to differ v/ith Mr. Clofe re- 

 fpefting his mode of deciding difputes by ni:igiftratc<; ; however impartial 

 they arc fuppofed to be, and whatever may be the opinion of the " higheft 

 |egal awthority," it is putting the propcrry of iucividuals into the pov.cr 



of 



