The Times publishes a remarkable statement as to the success
of the Ecclesiastical Commission. That body, having jobbed its jobs, got rid of Mr. Murray, rebuilt bishops' palaces, and provided for fattening Deans, has turned its attention to the working clergy. They have already raised 500 livings with large population and little incomes to 800/. a year. This year they hope to raise all livings with more than 6,000 people to that minimum, next year all with 5,000, in 1867 all with 4,500, and in 1868 all with 4,000. Besides these efforts, whenever the patron will subscribe hall the necessary sum to bring up the living they will give the other half, and they hope by December, 1868, to have appropriated ten millions sterling to the augmentation of little benefices without exhausting their resources. The report shows clearly two facts,— that the Church has plenty of money, and that the tendency is towards democracy, a good average of comfort, and as few prizes as may be. Suppose, when the other work is done, the Commis- sioners endow a few public livings up to 1,000/. a year, to be dis- tributed to clergymen who have contributed to increase the sum of human learning? Since Bishops ceased to be expected to know Greek, cultivated divinity has had no chance.
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