THE CATHEDRALS MEASURE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The somewhat uncertain fate of the Cathedrals Measure in the Church Assembly seems to indicate that the Assembly is becoming alive to the danger of undue centralization. A central body naturally aims at drawing as much of the business of the Church as possible into its own hands. Such a body, in virtue of its collective authority, may clearly achieve results which would otherwise be difficult of attainment.
But no such benefit as might be the result of centralization could fully compensate for an impoverishment of the spirit which may not unfairly be described as local patriotism. If Deans and Chapters were in the constitution or administration of their Cathedrals or even in their control of the property belonging to their Cathedrals made subject to a central body in Westminster, there would be a serious diminution of the local interest now so generally felt and shown in the Cathedrals. It is, indeed, not an uncommon mistake of bodies sitting in London to disregard the patriotic sentiment of the great cities and towns in the provinces.
The recent history of Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds and Hull, to cite these local instances only, attests the potent efficacy of an appeal, when it is made to the leading citizens of a locality for some object of acknowledged local interest. It was, according to my experience, far easier to raise money in the city of Manchester, if the money were to be expended in Manchester itself, than if it were to be transmitted to London. Nor is such local patriotism a sentiment which should be ignored or decried by an unsympathetic criticism.
It is surely an honourable sentiment which inspires a citizen with the desire that the locality in which he has lived and toiled and made his money, and in which he feels a strong attachment to the people, should, whether in his lifetime or after his death, be the chief beneficiary of his charity. But my wish in writing this letter is only to plead that as much opportunity as possible should be left, in the Church as in the State, to local patriotism.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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