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UNIVERSITY, ECCLESIASTICAL, AND PAROCHIAL

INTELLIGENCE.

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TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.

REV. J. H. STAFFORD.-Previously to the departure of the Rev. J. H. Stafford, of Liverpool, for his curacy of Lytchett Minister, Dorsetshire, he was presented with a well filled purse, on behalf of the congregation of St. Matthew's Church, as a testimony of their grateful respect, and of their sincere regret at his removal. The congregation of St. Anne's Church, where Mr. Stafford occasionally officiated for their worthy minister, have also presented him with an elegant purse, containing thirty sovereigns, as a token of their sincere esteem.

REV. F. SALT.-The friends and congregation of the Rev. F. Salt, curate of Wem, Salop, have commenced a subscription for a piece of plate to be presented to him in testimony of their esteem. Upwards of 100l. were almost immediately set down.

A MONUMENT TO THE MEMORY OF BISHOP BUTLER is about to be erected in Bristol Cathedral. This testimonial to the exemplary prelate's worth will be not only just to his piety and talents, but honourable to the present generation by whom they are appreciated.

KING'S COLLEGE.-The Worsley endowment at this establishment is in favour of scholars intended for missions to the East. Two scholars, we understand, are to be taken on the foundation, with an allowance of 251. per annum during their continuance at the College; and their education is to be made as complete as possible, with the view of their becoming missionaries of a higher class. The professors of the College have handsomely offered to afford the education gratuitously, and the Council, we hear, intend to remit the College fees.

A DISSENTING " ESTABLISHMENT.' ."-At the late meeting in support of the Church, held at South Shields, the Rev. James Carr said—" My next argument I derive from our dissenting friends themselves. It is true, in this country they act on the voluntary system; but in the South Sea Islands they have an ecclesiastical establishment. For this do I blame them? No, I admire them. After many years patient missionary labours in those islands, the king of one of the principal islands was converted, and became to all intents and purposes the head of their religious establishment. He affords them protection, and, with the advice of the ecclesiastical persons about him, makes and sanctions laws for their government." Here the reverend gentleman quoted Ellice's account of the South Sea Islands, and several other authorities, all dissenters, in proof of the position he had advanced; and proceeded :-" No one then can doubt that, where our dissenting brethren have the power, they adopt the principle of an establishment; and I would ask whether we are to adopt a different system on account of latitude and longitude. I cannot see how our dissenting friends can consistently call upon us to depart from an established system in England, when they have originated a similar system in another and a far distant country."

BISHOP OF LONDON.-The Bishop of London has augmented all the livings in his gift under 2007. per annum: and it is his intention again to raise them gradually to 3001. per annum.

THE MARCH OF POPERY.-The Roman Catholics have purchased six acres of land between Hastings and St. Leonard's, close to the sea; with a view to expend 30,0007. in building a college, chapel, &c. Some of the works are already commenced.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL REVENUE INQUIRY.

The following is the result of the Inquiry of the Commissioners into the Ecclesiastical Revenues of England and Wales:

"The total amount of the gross annual revenues of the several archiepiscopal and episcopal sees in England and Wales is 180,4621., affording an average of 6,6831.; and the total amount of the net annual revenues of the same is 160,1147., affording an average of 5,9307.

The total amount of the gross annual revenues of the several cathedral and collegiate churches in England and Wales, together with the separate gross annual revenues of the several dignitaries and other spiritual persons, members of cathedrals or collegiate churches, is 350,8617. and the total amount of the net annual revenues of the same is 272,8281.

The total number of benefices with and without cure of souls, the incumbents whereof have made returns to our inquiries, omitting those which are permanently or accustomably annexed to superior preferments, and which are included in the statements respecting those preferments, is 10,498; the total amount of the gross annual revenues of which benefices is 3,191,950l, affording an average of 3041.; and the total amount of the net annual revenues of the same is 3,000,3931., affording an average of 2851.

The total number of benefices with and without cure of souls in England and Wales, including those not returned to us, is 10,701; the total gross income of which, calculated from the average of those returned, will be 3,253,6621., and the total net income thereof will be 3,058,2481.

The total number of curates employed both by resident and non-resident incumbents returned to us, is 5,282, whose annual stipends in the aggregate amount to 424,796., affording an average annual stipend of 801.; and the total amount of the stipends of curates, if 102 be assumed as the proportionate number on the benefices not returned, and the same be calculated on the average of those returned to us, will be 432,9561.

From a scale which we have prepared of the benefices with cure of souls returned to us, it appears that there are 294, the incomes of which are respectively under 50%.; 1,621 of 50l. and under 1007.; 1,591 of 100l. and under 1501.; 1,355 of 150l. and under 2001.; 1,964 of 2007. and under 300l.; 1,317 of 300l. and under 4007.; 830 of 4001. and under 500l.; 504 of 500l. and under 600l.; 337 of 600l. and under 7001; 217 of 7001. and under 8007.; 129 of 8001. and under 9007.; 91 of 9001. and under 1,000l.; 137 of 1,000l. and under 1,500l.; 31 of 1,500l. and under 2,000l. ; and 18 of 2,000l. and upwards.

The number of sinecure rectories returned to us, and which sinecure rectories are included in the number of benefices above stated, is 62; the aggregate gross annual revenues of which amount to 18,6221., affording an average of 300l., and the aggregate net annual revenues of the same amount to 17,0951., affording an average of 2751.”

After such a statement as this, coming from the highest authority, the exaggerated assertions put forth of the immense wealth of the Church fall to the ground. Here it is shown that, taking the revenues from benefices together, the average income of the Clergy is not 300%. though they must receive the education of gentlemen, and though the claims upon their benevolence are greater than upon any other class. Nay more, nearly one-half the benefices yield an income below 2001., and out of them there are about two thousand which give below 1007.! Surely the most virulent enemies of the Church will admit, that men holding such livings (or rather starvings) are underpaid.

NEW CHURCH AT DIDDINGTON.-The foundation stone of a new Church at Diddington, endowed by the Warden and Fellows of Merton College, and Matthew Bell, Esq., was laid on the 10th ult.

BISHOP OF ST. ASAPH.-The Lord Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Carey, late of Christ Church), at his Triennial Visitation this summer, generously announced his intention of giving an annual subscription of one hundred pounds to the Diocesan Society for the building of churches and chapels.

ETON ELECTION, MONDAY, JULY 28.-There was an unusually brilliant assemblage of rank, fashion, and beauty in the school-room at Eton. His Majesty, who takes the same paternal interest in Eton matters for which George the Third was so remarkable, was punctual in his attendance, and was received with loud plaudits, which were, if possible, increased by the announcement of his Majesty's request that the boys might have an extra week's holidays.

The King went in state, accompanied by her Royal Highness Princess Augusta, Prince George, and Lady Clinton, in the first carriage; and followed by three other carriages, in which were Lord and Lady Frederick Fitzclarence, Miss Wilson, Miss Hope Johnstone, Sir Philip and Lady Sidney, Sir Andrew Barnard, Sir Charles Thornton, and others of the suite.

The Royal Party were received by the Rev. the Provost and Fellows, Rev. Dr. Keate, and the Assistant Masters, by whom they were ushered into the school-room, when the speeches immediately commenced. The Address was spoken by Mr. Courthope, with peculiar grace and elegance, in the course of which some clever allusions were made to the once-contemplated destruction of "Eton's fair fields" by the railroad. The speeches were delivered throughout with admirable feeling and effect, and the conclusion was marked by a testimonial of feeling which Dr. Keate can never forget. On his leaving the school, the whole body rose and gave him a thundering cheer, the ladies waving their handkerchiefs; in short, a more gratifying conclusion to his long and proud career cannot be imagined. The speeches were as follow:

A most gratifying scene took place in the College on Sunday:-a scene as honourable to the character of Dr. Keate, who has for nearly five-and-twenty years presided over that great school, as it was worthy of the Etonians themselves. Shortly after twelve o'clock the whole body of the sixth form waited on the Doctor with a magnificent silver vase and two wine-coolers-the former a copy of the celebrated Warwick vase; the latter from two beautiful antiques, the work of Storr and Mortimer. The Captain of the School, Mr. Phinn, then addressed Dr. Keate in a very feeling and eloquent speech, expressive of their deep regret at his loss, and concluding with an earnest prayer for his future happiness. Of Dr. Keate's reply we are unable to make any proper statement. He was much overcome by the whole scene, and expressed his gratitude to the boys, shaking hands with each of them. The whole of the boys then assembled in the upper school, when Dr. Keate took an affectionate leave of them; and in the course of his address he stated that the prosperity of Eton had been as much supported by the uniformly gentlemanly bearing of the boys, and the aid he had received from his assistants, as from any merits of his own.

INSCRIPTION ON THE VASE.

"Presented by the existing members of Eton School to the Rev. John Keate, D.D., on his retirement from the Head Mastership, July 30, 1834, as a testimony of the high sense which they entertain of his exquisite taste and accurate scholarship, so long and so successfully devoted to their improvement; and of the firm, yet parental, exercise of his authority, which has conciliated the affection, while it has commanded the respect, of his scholars."

LUTHER. Mr. Lemon, of the State Paper Office, has found in his researches a portrait of Luther, in wood, and coloured." It appears to have been sent to England soon after that great Reformer's death, in 1546; and represents him seated in his study, with a skull resting on a Bible before him, and a small clasped book in one hand: an hour-glass, and pen and ink are on either side, and a German poem beneath, which amplified the famous prophecy against the Pope.