OF SELBORNE. 575 



Iii Item 12th he forbids the canons in office to make 

 their business a plea for not attending- the service of 

 the choir; since by these means either divine worship 

 is neglected or their brother canons are overburdened. 



[Item 13th directs that two of the canons Shall twice 

 in every year personally visit the manors, and report in 

 writing their condition and the live and dead stock at 

 each ; that in case of the death of any officer, the con- 

 vent may not be left in ignorance as to the state of his 

 charge: neglect to be severely punished, according to 

 the bishop's discretion.] 



By Item 14th we are informed that the original num- 

 ber of canons at the Priory of Selborne was fourteen ; 

 but that at this visitation they were found to be let down 

 to eleven. The visiter therefore strongly and earnestly 

 enjoins them that, with all due speed and diligence, they 

 should proceed to the election of proper persons to fill 

 up the vacancies, under pain of the greater excommu- 

 nication. 



[Item 15th is especially addressed to the prior, who 

 has neglected to make inquisition as to proprietary 

 canons, " whence it has resulted that the old enemy, 

 taking advantage of the continued sloth of the shepherd, 

 has seduced the wretched and erring sheep by means of 

 the snare of property into the thirst of avarice," to the 

 serious peril of their souls. He is required, twice a year 

 at least, to make inquisition and to punish offenders. 

 In neglect of this duty he is ipso facto suspended.] 



[Item 16th refers to the constitutions as requir- 

 ing that abbots and priors, and other officers, should 

 twice at least in each year, in the presence of the whole 

 convent, or of a certain number deputed by the chapter, 

 render a full account of their administration ; and avers 

 that this has not been attended to in the Priory of Sel- 



in hearing, and sometimes in sight from their windows. If the bishop 

 was so offended at these sporting canons, what would he have said to 

 our modern fox-hunting divines? 



