Mr. Leatham's resolution condemning simoniacal evasions of the law against
the sale of next presentations was counted ont on Tuesday night, after a very able and very moderate' speech from the mover. He illustrated the corruption of the practice, and stated that 2,000 livings,—about one-fourth of the whole available patronage of the Church,—were now in the hands of clerical agents for sale or exchange. In the advertisements of these livings, much was said of the hunting, something of the scenery, something of the rook.shooting, while the duties were usually represented as light. Nothing was commoner than to present the most venerable clergyman who could be found, in order that in selling the next presentation it might be possible to represent the incumbent as practically on his last legs.' Mr. Leatham, however, suggested no . practical remedy,—which, indeed, was perhaps not his object. He knows. that one remedy for all such matters would be disestablishment,--- though it might introduce more evils than it cured,—and doubt- less he is by no means anxious to discover any adequate alternative.
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