A HUNDRED YEARS AGO I" THE SPECTATOR," DECEMBER IST, 1838]
The Reverend Francis Dawson is a Prebendary of Canterbury, Rector of Allhallows, Rector of Chiselhurst, Rector of Hayes, Rector of Orpington, and he also derives an " honest penny " from Down Chapelry. Not content with these varied emoluments, Mr. Dawson has converted the parsonage-house in Allhallows, which is close to the church, into a tavern ; and it appears from some proceedings before the Lord Mayor, that the Archbishop of Canterbury tacitly, and eight Aldermen of London openly, sanctioned this conversion ; although a respectable parishioner protested against the profanation. This outrage against decency provokes no ecclesiastical censure. To go to chapel is punished by fine and imprisonment ; to place a quotation from Maccabees on a gravestone is fiat Popery and calls down the thunders of the Church ; to go in a steamboat to Richmond or Margate. on Sunday is grievous impiety ; but the Primate of all England allows one of his inferior clergy to establish a public-house within a few yards of the church-door, to whatsoever scandal of his flock ; and though called upon to put down the nuisance, quietly dozes on at Lambeth, regardless of the complaints of the too sensitive
laity. * * *
A Country Newspaper, with a postage charge of 12s. 3d., on account of markings within, was this morning brought to our office, and
refused. * * * * We have no room this week for Letters to the Editor, of any kind.
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