462 
ANTIQUITIES 
In Item 12tli 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 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. 
