28 MAY 1881, Page 3

Convocation would do better not to meddle in matters which

do not concern it. The Lower House of Convocation of the Province of Canterbury has passed a gravamen against any relaxation of the oath of allegiance for persons seeking admis- sion to Parliament ; and when carried to the Upper House, it received their Lordships' consent. In the Lower House, the gravamen was also adopted as an articulus cleri, whatever that may mean. Sir 'William Harcourt, questioned ou the subject in the House of Commons on Monday, answered Mr. Labouchere that this gravamen, or arNetaus cleri, would not prejudice him, or any other Member of the House of Commons,—which is quite true. But as it may prejudice the Clergy of England, who are a very worthy body of men with a great deal too much Morbid desire to express all sorts of fussy clerical opinions on subjects on which they would judge much bettor if they forgot altogether that they are clergymen, we may be permitted to deprecate their adopting any more of these silly articull cleri.