LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE POVERTY OF THE CLERGY.
[TO THE EDITOR Of THE *SPECTATOR-1
SIII,—Neither of the clergy who have written to the Spectator of September 6th in answer to your article on the above sub- ject appears to realise what an immense boon it would be to those of the clergy who are living on the very verge of their small incomes if they could be freed, as your plan would free them, from the harassing uncertainty of dependence on tithe, and of being always subject to the caprice of surveyors in the
matter of unreasonable dilapidations. May I quote from a letter, written in the course of last year by a clergyman's wife (as I give no name, I think there is no breach of confidence) ?—
" We have only had £40 for tithes owing up to October, 1900, and it is now June 11th. It seems six months' credit is expected, and same take much longer. There are still a few smaller tithes whish may amount to about £5 to be paid, but these tithes are uncertain. So as we have had to use £20 of the £40, we have only 4220 till the April tithes are again paid in the winter months. It is really very difficult for clergymen to live."
On this income a charge was made of 223 for dilapidations, but it was paid for them by a friend who knew of their straits. I have heard of another case where the income of a living was suddenly reduced to 275 owing to the glebe farm being un- tenanted. In these cases if the Commissioners could "lump" all their properties together they could probably pay each the regular income without loss.—I am, Sir, &c., A FRIEND.
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