The Ecclesiastical Commission. By Sir Lewis T. Dibdin and S.
E. Downing. (Macmillan. Is. net.)—The First Church Estates Commissioner and the Secretary present in this pamphlet a lucid and authoritative history of the Ecclesiastical Commission from its establishment in 1836, and an explanation of its financial policy. We may infer from their postscript that the pamphlet is intended as a reply to the recent criticisms of Dr. Meridiem, who thinks that the Commissioners are far too cautious in the handling of their funds. The anthem urge that the Commis- sioners' caution has been justified by results, that they have been able to do far more for the relief of the poor clergy than any one ever expected, and that the income which they derive from mining royalties is a wasting asset that has to be replaced from surplus revenue. There is much weight in their reminder that each generation of Churchmen should emulate the pious bene- factors of the past, instead of blaming the Commission for not assuming more of a burden which increases yearly.
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