THE TITHES BILL.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIB,—Tithe, in the opinion of agriculturists, is unjust in its incidence, and in the opinion of Nonconformists, is unjustly applied. I am not aware that I have mixed up the two things, but I do consider it the height of folly to pooh-pooh them both. Neither am I aware that I have recommended the confiscation of tithe, lay or clerical; but I do recommend its redemption on fixed terms, a larger degree of favour being shown to tithe,- owners who perform duties than to titheowners who perform none. One word more. Are peace and quietness to be secured by substituting discord between the landlords and the tenant, for discord between the parson and the people ? Is a rent war a less serious evil than a tithe war? In these days, it is often a very difficult matter for landlords to collect rents belonging to themselves, and to compel them by law to collect rents belonging to other people is exactly the sort of coercion they will most bitterly resent. To tell the plain troth, this wretched Tithes Bill, insignificant as it looks, is likely enough to upset the Conservative Government, the Established Church, and the United Kingdom.—I am, Sir, &c., The Lyth, Ellesmere, March 29th. ARTHUR T. JEBB..
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