It is stated that two new dioceses are shortly to
be made. 'The sum has been raised which was fixed by the recent Act of Parliament as the minimum for the endowment of the See of Southwell, broken off from the diocese of Lincoln. And now it is confidently said that the Government mean in the ensuing Session to divide the See of Bristol from that of Gloucester, including within the new diocese North Somerset. It is -conjectured that the new bishop may be called the Bishop of Bristol and Bath, and that as his diocese would relieve the diocese of Wells of much of its present area, the Bishop of Wells might have Dorsetshire added to his diocese, and might be entitled the Bishop of Wells and Sher- borne ; in which case, Berkshire might be given back to the -diocese of Salisbury, in lien of Dorsetshire, which is now con- tained in it. These are at present only speculations. but if Bristol is to be erected into a new diocese, there is little doubt that there would be some parings and interchanges of districts, to lighten the burdens of other Sees.
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