Chap. 2.] ECCLESIASTIC; AL HISTORY. 61 



" The Great or Rectorial Tithes of Alston and Dilworth, converted 

 into a perpetual Eeut Charge of £232 per annum, were purchased in 

 the year 1869 for £3,300, and paid for, partly by a special legacy, a 

 gift for that purpose," and partly by private subscriptions raised by 

 Eev. W. C. Bache, the then Vicar. The Tithe Eent Charges are subject 

 to all parochial rates and taxes, and in this respect only differ from 

 ordinary ground rents. 



"By statute of 31 and 32 Vict., cap. 117, it is provided, that certain 

 Incumbents should be deemed and styled ' Vicars, and their benefices 

 Vicarages.' Under this Act the Incumbent Curate of Longridge 

 became entitled to the title of Vicar." 



There are two handsome schools side by side in Longridge in con- 

 nection with the Church of England. The Girls' School was erected 

 in 1865,^ and enlarged in 1878. It is capable of holding 300 childi-en, 

 and in 1887 had a dally average attendance of 140. 



The Boys' School was built in 1885, at the sole cost and expense 

 of Eobert Smith, Esq., J.P., as a handsome brass on the school wall 

 testifies. It will hold 350 boys, and had a daily average attendance 

 of 163 in 1887. 



The old school, now used as a wheelwright's shop, was erected in 

 1832. One anterior to it was erected in 1731. It was a low building, 

 badly lighted, and worse ventilated, and was inconveniently situated, 

 being opx^osite the Parish Church. 



VlCAHS OF LONGRTOGE. 

 A.D. 



1554 (?)— Sir Eobert Cottom 



164 (?)— Eev. Mr. Harley. 

 1650.— Vacant. 



165 (?)— Timothy Smith. 

 1662.— Timothy Smith, ejected. 



'This legacy was, I understand, the things he mentioned his gratification at 



gift of Miss Buck, sister to Mr. \Vm. finding such spontaneous aid and kindly 



Buck, Alston Lodge, Longridge. help had been given, iiartioularly by Mr. 



Hn referring to the opening of the George Whittle and Mr. Jonathan 



new School, at a Meeting held on Aug. Openshaw, and to the working people 



10th, 1867, the Rev. \V. C. Bache made of the place who had come forward so 



an interesting statement. Among other manfully and nobly. 



