PRIVATE PATRONAGE IN THE CHURCH OF • ENGLAND.
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR,—I am obliged to Mr. Brewin for producing another instance of the injustice of the present law prohibiting the erection of an extra-parochial chapel without the permission of the incumbent of the parish. Such in- stances might, no doubt, be multiplied to any extent. Probably petitions to Parliament and to Convocation, ask- ing that the privilege conceded to institutions may be ex- tended to any two or more parishioners willing to guarantee the stipend of a chaplain, would have their effect. It is evident that the existing grievance is felt by all parties alike. Let us all join in getting it removed.
Probably, however, the minister of the Iron Church at Rich- mond runs no risk of sharing the fate of Mr. Tooth, even if his licence is withdrawn, and he continues to minister without one. The harassed congregation of St. Peter's, Bournemouth, have not got an iron church. The St. John's victims of an unjust law are more fortunate in possessing this city of refuge. But what an absurdity it is, that if they added an iron room or two to their iron church, and got together three or four old women with bad legs, they would have converted their irregular iron church into a regular hospital chapel, to which all governors and subscribers could claim admission, and of which the chaplain could equally claim a licence !—I am, Sir, &c.,
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