31 MAY 1873, Page 13

DISSENTERS ' BURIALS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

Mitton's assertion that fees are paid at burials "solely for the ground occupied by the grave" is so very plausible, that I wish it were accurate. But in fact (I make Mr. Mitton a present of the theory) payments are made in many places to the clergyman, and to the parish clerk, as well as to the sexton, even when a grave is not opened for the first time.

I was ordained in 1854. My rector hated these fees, and wouldn't take them. He abolished their payment. The vicar of the parish where I held my second curacy did the same. And when my turn came to bold a couple of sole charges, I did the same. But in each of these cases the fees had previously been paid. I

am not now engaged in parochial duty, but whenever I return to it, as I hope to do some day in a living of my own, I will again wage war with these hateful fees.—I am, Sir, &c.,

THE "POOR CLERGYMAN."

P.S.—A worse fee than the above is that extorted for " Churchings " in some places. I have known 1s. 6d. demanded from quite poor women !