-go TYTHE S. 



This table does not contain any proof that tythes in Ireland 

 are unreafonably rated ; but that there are abufes in the modes 

 of levying them is undoubted : the greateft that I heard of 

 , were the notes and bonds taken in fome parrs of that kingdom 

 by the proctors for the payment of tythes, which bear intereft, 

 and which are fometimes continued for feveral years, principal 

 and intereft being confolidated until the fum becomes too great 

 for the poor man to pay, when great extortions are complained 

 of, and formed the grievance which feemed moft to raife the 

 refentnientojF the rioters, called Whiteboys. The great power 

 of the proteftant gentlemen render their corripcfitions very light, 

 while the .poor catholic is made in too many cafes to pay fe- 

 verely for the deficiencies of his betters. Th;s is a great abufe, 

 but not to be remedied till the whole kingdom is animated wirh 

 a different fpirit. 



Theboufe of commons fome years agopaffed a vote, decla- 

 ring every lawyer an enemy to his country, who in any way 

 whatever was concerned in any cafe of tythe for fat bullocks and 

 cows ; and without its becoming a law was fo compleatly obey- 

 ed, that it has regulated the bufinefs ever fince j it was cer- 

 tainly a reproach to that parliament, that potatoes and turf 

 were not the objects ; for if any thing called for fo violent an 

 exemption,' it was certainly thepotatoe garden and fuel of the 

 poor cottar. 



No objects in both the kingdoms can well be of greater im- 

 portance than a fixed compofition for tythe. It is a mode of pay- 

 ment fo difagreeable in every refpect to the clergy, and fo ruin- 

 ous to the laity, that a general public improvement would 

 follow fuch a meafure. In Ireland there can be no doubt but 

 the recompence iliould be land, were it for no other reafonbut 

 having in every parifh a glebe fufficient for the ample and agree- 

 able refidence of a rector. Force by the moft exprefs penalties 

 by ftatute law, the refidence of the clergy, after which extend 

 that moft excellent law which enables any bifhop to expend, in 

 a palace, offices, or domain wall, two years revenues of the fee* 

 with a power of charging, by his laft will, his fucceffbr with 

 the payment of the whole of the fum to whatever ufes he leaves 

 ir, who in like manner is enabled to charge his fucceiTbr with 

 three fourths, and fo on j this law fhould be extended to par- 

 ionage houfes, with this afliftance, that wherever the rector or 

 vicar proved the expenditure of two yeais revefme in a houfe, 

 he fhould receive a permit from the grand jury, for expending 

 half as much more for offices, walling, &c. and when in like 

 manner he brought his certificate of fo doing, the money to be 

 paid him by the county treafurer in like manner as the p'refent- 

 nient roads are done at prefent, not however to leave it at the 

 option of the jury. Aiefident clergy fpending in the parifli the 

 whole of their receipts, would in all refpects be fo advantage- 

 ous and defirable, that it is fair the county fliould aflill in 

 enabling them to do it in a liberal manner. The expence 



would 



