CLERGYMEN IN PARLIAMENT.
[To THE Eprroa OF THY "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In speaking of the exclusion of the Clergy from Par. liament, you say that they are disabled from a right conceded t.o every other order of Protestants. Dissenting preachers may sit in the House of Commons in any number. "Hoots, sir!" I could not but exclaim, with Malcolm, "there's no' a pair ce•
parallel lines in a' the comparison." It seems to me that you altogether overlook the serious inequality that subsists between an Episcopal clergyman and his Nonconformist brother Unless the Spectator is willing to concede the principle of class representation, I fail to see even the shadow of a grievance For the immense power and prestige conferred upon the clergy- man by State endowment and control, it is surely a trifling penalty that he cannot have a seat in Parliament. But perhaps the Spectator thinks that the presence of a few grave clerical Members in the House would soften the temper of the Libera-
Previous page
