402 ANTIQUITIES 



In 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 ancf dead stock at each ; 

 that in case of the death of any officer, the convent 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 number 

 of canons at the Priory of Selborne was fourteen ; but that 

 at this visitation they were found to be let down to eleven. 

 The visitor 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 excommunication. 



[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 advan- 

 tage of the continued sloth of the shepherd, has seduced the 

 wretched and erring sheep by means of the snare of pro- 

 perty 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 requiring that 

 abbots and priors, and other officers, should twice at least 

 in oach 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 Selborne. Requires that it be 

 observed in future, under pain of suspension.] 



In Item 17th, the prior and canons are accused of suffer- 



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? G. W. 



