128 HISTORY OF HARTING. 



of another black sheep among the clergy of that date, 

 Rev. Jos. Sager, prebendary of Salisbury, who was after- 

 wards prosecuted by the Chapter for embezzlement. 

 Sager is at the time one of the two rival vicars of 

 Harting, and is writing to his rival, to whom he wishes 

 to make the post at Harting disagreeable. It is hardly 

 possible moreover, that if a Vicar of Harting were 

 hung for coining within the last 180 years, there should 

 be no local tradition to that effect, unless indeed he 

 were non-resident. It is also but fair to remember that 

 statements damaging the Protestant clergy would be 

 very likely to find their way into the collection of the 

 correspondence of a strict Roman Catholic family, 

 such as the Carylls were, though we must not conclude 

 from this fact that the Carylls endorsed their corres- 

 pondent's views. It is just possible that the following 

 "copy of a letter of the late Mr. Tench, sent to a 

 gentleman whose son was lately entered into orders 

 and wanted a Benefice," may be a true instance of the 

 infamous traffic in the cure of souls that was often 

 practised in those days. 



Copy of a letter writ to Captn. Hudson. 



"Jan. 18, 1711. 



" Sir, Since my return I have met \vith my friend 

 Mr. Tench, who has the disposal of the vicarage of 

 Harting, Sussex ; the right of presentation is un- 

 doubtedly in him, and upon agreem 1 - y r - son may 

 receive his presentation whenever he pleases and take 

 Institution, and so he will enjoy it for life. I am very 

 well satisfied that it is a noble living. . . from London, 

 45 miles (!), from Chichester, 8 miles (!), from Ports- 

 mouth, 14 (!), from Petersfield, 3 (!), from Midhurst, 

 5 (!). There are two noble parks in the parish 10 

 miles about, and tho' the greatest parish in the county, 

 yet but one church and one sermon a day. Mr. Caryll 

 is only Patron of y e Rectory w ch - Mr. Tench cannot 



