2 SO Cathedral Life and Work at Sarum in Olden Times. 



like " an inverted pyramid trembling" on its apex, than like one, as 

 in ancient days, quietly reposing* on its base." 



(c) But under this general head of work to be done by the canons 

 away from the cathedral must be mentioned the special duties with 

 which they were charged in respect of the "prebend" or separate 

 estate with which each of them was endowed. On each such estate 

 there was a house of residence with a " familia," and often also a 

 church, either served by the prebendary himself, or by a vicar 

 appointed by him. On that prebend the canon lived, and there was 

 his sphere of work, save at such times as he came to the cathedral 

 for any of the duties that there devolved on him. In fact he was 

 responsible for the spiritual well-being of all connected with that 

 estate — for the education of the young, the appointment of the pastor, 

 the condition of the labourer. In the history of S. Edmund of 

 Canterbury, once Treasurer of our church, we have an admirable 

 illustration of the true working of the cathedral system. We all 

 know how fully and how generously he fulfilled his duties at the 

 cathedral — the prebend of Calne was actually annexed to his dignity, 

 that his successors might not fail to carry out their duties with 

 equal liberality. The messengers sent from Canterbury, to announce 

 to Edmund Rich his election to the primacy, went, first of all, 

 naturally enough, to Salisbury ; but, not finding him there, travelled 

 on to Calne, the " prebend" held by him, and still held by his 

 successors the Treasurers of Sarum. There they found him engaged 

 in attending to the interests, temporal and spiritual, of those of 

 whom he had the oversight. At the time of their arrival he was 

 occupied in study, and, in compliance with his usual directions to 

 his attendants, they would not disturb him. After a while he came 

 forth to meet the messengers, and received their tidings, not with 

 any exultation, but with real and unfeigned sorrow, at the thought 

 of leaving his own people. In truth, he at first refused the offered 

 dignity, nor, until he had been again at Sarum, and had taken 

 counsel with the bishop and his brother canons, did he, in compli- 

 ance with their urgent entreaty, consent. " He who knoweth all 

 things/'' were his words, " knoweth that I would never consent to 

 this election, did I not fear that I might be committing sin.'" And 



