BRANCH BANKS. An Account of the Average Circulation of Branch Bank Notes and Twenty-One-Day Bills, during the years 1828, 1829, 1830, and 1831, distinguishing the Amount from each Branch Bank. Amount received from Government for Management of the Public Debt, for the year ending April 5, 1832, including Life Annuities, 251,000.; Management of Life Annuities, proposed to be transferred, 3,000l. £248,000 Deduct Expenses for Management of the National Debt, 164,000%. DEBTOR and CREDITOR ACCOUNT.-Feb. 29,1832. Dr. To Bank notes outstanding... 44,000 £178,875 .£18,051,710 To Public Deposits-viz. Drawing Accounts, 2,034,7901.; Balance of 3,198,730 To Private Deposits-viz. Drawing Accounts, 5,683,8701.; Various ..... To the Bank of England for the Capital To the Balance of Surplus in favour of the Bank of England.. 5,738,430 14,553,000 2,637,760 £44,179,630 Cr. By advances on Government Securities-viz. Exchequer Bills on the By the advances to the Trustees appointed by the Act 3 Geo. IV. c. 51, By other credits-viz. Exchequer Bills, purchased, 2,700,0007.; Stock 4,134,940 10,897,880 9,166,860 5,293,150 14,686,800 £44,179,630 Rest or Surplus brought down 2,637,760 14,553,000 £17,190,760 An Account of the Total Amount of all Exchequer-bills held by the Bank of England, on the 1st of June in each Year, from 1816 to 1832, inclusive. EUROPE. The aspect of Europe presents no material change. The King of Holland maintains the same uncompromising tone as previously— the great military powers of Austria, Russia, and Prussia, continue to collect or support their armies, in positions favourable to an attack on France, the southern and western provinces of which are in a disturbed or hostile state the Duchess de Berri is undoubtedly in the west. Under these circumstances, the most enterprizing adherent of Louis Philippe will hardly advise the hazarding of a war to establish Leopold upon the throne of Belgium, especially if there is any truth in a report circulated both here and on the Continent, that England has formally declared, that she will not unite in any military measures for that purpose. The Duchess d'Angouleme and Mademoiselle Berri, have left this country for the Continent. THE PENINSULA. -The forces of Dom Pedro are stated at about twelve thousand men ; and the expected reinforcements of levies from England and France, most of whom have seen service, are estimated at four thousand more. The army of Dom Miguel is reported to be eighteen thousand of all arms. Of the comparative character of each army, there cannot be a doubt; nor if left to themselves, what will be the result. In the mean time, the King of Spain has had a severe paralytic attack, which had deprived him of the use of one side. It is said that Dom Miguel has made three attacks upon Dom Pedro, but has been repulsed. TURKEY.-The army of the Pacha of Egypt continues successful on the side of Syria, most of which is now in the hands of Ibrahim, who seems to threaten a farther advance towards Anatolia. UNIVERSITY, ECCLESIASTICAL, AND PAROCHIAL INTELLIGENCE. COPY OF ARTICLES OF INQUIRY ISSUED TO EVERY INCUMBENT. Ecclesiastical Revenues Commission Office, 44, Parliament-street, August, 1832. THE Commissioners appointed by his Majesty, by letters patent under the Great Seal, to inquire, amongst other things, into the revenues of all Ecclesiastical Benefices, Donatives, Perpetual Curacies, and Chapelries, desire the of to make a full and particular statement in reply to each of the subjoined articles of inquiry, and the statements in reply, to the Commissioners, on or before the 15th day of November next, addressed "To the Under Secretary of State, Home Office, London," adding in the corner "Ecclesiastical Revenues Commission." The Commissioners have adopted this mode of seeking the information which they are directed by his Majesty to obtain, relying on the disposition of all Incumbents to give such full, correct, and explicit answers as will enable the Commissioners to fulfil the intentions of his Majesty in issuing the commission. It is the desire of the Commissioners that, where an incumbent has been in possession less than three years, he should nevertheless make the required statements, respecting his own benefice or cure, after he shall have obtained the best information in his power. By order of the Board, WILLIAM ROBERTS, Sec. State 1. The name of the benefice, and the name of each chapelry (if any) thereto belonging, not having a separate incumbent. 2. Whether it is a rectory, vicarage, donative, or perpetual curacy or chapelry, and if with or without cure of souls. 3. To whom the rectory belongs, or is reputed to belong, if this benefice be not a rectory. 4. In what county and diocese, and in what deanery, the benefice is locally situate. 5. Whether subject to episcopal or to some and what peculiar jurisdiction. 6. The name of the incumbent and the date of his admission. 7. To whom the advowson belongs, or is reputed to belong. 8. The population within the limits of the benefice, specifying the amount within each chapelry (if any) thereto belonging, according to the census of 1831. 9. How many curates (if any) are employed by the incumbent. 10. The amount of stipend paid to each such curate, or other allowance. 11. The number of churches and chapels, and how many persons they are severally capable of accommodating. 12. What duty is performed in each church and chapel. 13. Whether there is a glebe-house fit for the residence of an incumbent; and if unfit, why? 14. Whether the incumbent or his curate usually resides in the glebe-house, or if not, to whom it is let, or by whom occupied; and if there be no glebe-house, or none fit for residence, what rent is paid by the incumbent for house or lodging. 15. The gross amount of the annual income of the benefice (including therein and stating the amount of those sums which are due, but remain unpaid, and which are not expected to be received) on an average of three years past, ending Michaelmas, 1831. 16. How much thereof from land, whether let or in the incumbent's occupation; and also (if any) how much from houses. 17. How much thereof from tithes taken in kind. 18. How much thereof from composition for tithes. 19. How much thereof from corn rents. 20. How much thereof from dividends or interest arising from stock in the public funds, or monies appropriated or in any manner secured to the benefice. 21. How much thereof from stipends, pensions, or some and what other kind of fixed money payments. 22. How much thereof from Easter offerings. 23. How much thereof from surplice and other fees. 24: How much thereof from other sources not before described, naming them, and the amount from each. 25. The gross amount of the yearly payments charged upon and made out of the income of the benefice and glebe land occupied by the incumbent (except rates and taxes in respect of the glebe-house and offices, payments in respect of any mortgage under the acts called Gilbert's Acts, repairs and stipend to any curate or curates) on an average of three years past, ending as aforesaid. 26. The amount of each class of such yearly payments, under its proper title. 27. The net amount of the average annual income of the benefice, after deducting such payments (except as aforesaid.) Note. [It is requested that no deduction be made for the amount of sums due and remaining unpaid, though not expected to be received.] 28. Whether the amount of the net yearly produce to be stated in pursuance of the preceding inquiry may, in the judgment of the incumbent, on a full consideration of the nature of his revenues, be fairly reckoned on as the average amount, communibus annis, of the net yearly produce of such revenues, for the future; or, whether a greater or less yearly sum may, in his judgment, be expected, and to what amount, and for what reasons. 29. In case there are any temporary charges on the benefice, specify the nature of such charges, and the amount of the yearly payments in respect thereof, and at what time the same will terminate. 30. In case there are any other yearly payments incident to the benefice, though not actual charges thereon, which in the opinion of the incumbent ought to be stated, specify the nature and amount thereof respectively, and such further particulars as he may deem necessary. 31. Whether the incumbent of the benefice is, in right thereof, patron of any and what ecclesiastical benefice, perpetual curacy, or chapelry, and give the name thereof. 32. The name or proper title of every dignity, prebend, canonry, and other ecclesi astical preferment in any cathedral or collegiate church or collegiate chapel; and of every benefice, donative, perpetual curacy, or chapelry, with or without cure, and in what county, diocese, and deanery the same may be; and of every other ecclesiastical preferment, of whatsoever kind, now held by the incumbent; and this is required notwithstanding he may already have made a statement of such particulars in pursuance of any other inquiry made by the Commissioners. I incumbent of the said of do hereby certify and declare that I have, in the statements made by me in reply to the several articles of inquiry proposed to me by the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to inquire (amongst other things) into the revenues and patronages of all benefices, donatives, perpetual curacies, and chapelries, with or without cure, given, to the best of my judgment, information, and belief, a full and particular account of all matters and things required by such articles of inquiry to be stated by me. Witness my hand, this year of our Lord, 1832. NEW CHURCHES. day of in the THEALE. The ceremony of consecrating the New Church at Theale, took place on Tuesday: the Church was filled by a most respectable auditory. The first part of the service was read by the Rev. Dr. Routh; the Communion Service by the Bishop of Salisbury and his Chaplain. The Rev. Dr. Ellerton, Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and Rector of the new parish of Theale, then preached an admirable and appropriate sermon from the third verse of the Epistle of Jude. The late Dr. Sheppard, Rector of Tilehurst, on account of the great distance of Theale and North-street, from the Parish Church, erected a Chapel at Theale for their accommodation. At his death he recommended his widow to erect another building, better fitted for the worship of God. Mrs. Sheppard, feeling desirous that this wish should be carried into effect in a way honourable to herself and to the memory of her husband, procured an Act of Parliament, which was passed in the first year of his late Majesty, to separate the parish of Tilehurst into two rectories, Tilehurst and Theale, and the present building was soon afterwards commenced. TRINITY CHURCH, READING, was consecrated in the beginning of August, by the Lord Bishop of Salisbury, in the presence of a very large congregation, who appeared to take a deep interest in this beautiful and affecting solemnity. We regret to state that his Lordship suffered so much from a disease in the eyes, as to be unable to read the Communion Service, which was accordingly performed by his Lordship's Chaplain. ST. MARY'S CHURCH, STAMFORD.-We understand that the repairs in the nave of this beautiful Church, have been completed by Mr. Moses Peel, to the satisfaction of the parishioners; and we are rejoiced to learn that the worthy Rector has ordered the gallery to be considerably enlarged, for the purpose of making an additional number of free sittings. The Church was expected to be re-opened for divine service, on Sunday the 23d inst, ASHCOT CHURCH.-On Tuesday, August 28, the parish Church of Ashcot, which has undergone a thorough repair, was reopened, and divine service performed in it. The very Rev. the Dean of Wells preached on the occasion, and the Lay Vicars and Choristers of Wells Cathedral handsomely rendered their services. BRISTOL CHAPTER HOUSE.-The restoration of the Chapter House, belonging to the Cathedral of Bristol, is in a state of considerable forwardness, and will, when completed, be as honourable to the taste and liberality of the Dean and Chapter, as it will be gratifying to the lover of ecclesiastical architecture. The modernized windows which long disgraced the noble room are removed, and it will be lighted by three circular windows in the East end, corresponding with the ornamental arches round the walls. These will, we understand, be filled with stained glass. Adjoining the Chapter House rooms are building for the library and other purposes. The old erections over the cloisters are also being removed, and a carriage-way is to be formed nearly adjoining the Church, from College-green to the Palace-yard. CHAPELRY OF OWSLEBURY.--The following is a gratifying instance of true Christian benevolence, which ought not to be passed over unnoticed.-In Hampshire, is the Parish and Chapelry of Owslebury, hitherto dependent for all parochial administration upon the Vicar of Twyford. The present Vicar, however, has long been anxious that his flock there might have the benefit of more immediate care in the residence of a Pastor. This anxiety on his part was fully shared by one of his parishioners—the lady now residing at Marwell Hall-who signified her intention to further any plan, which might secure to the parish the advantage of having a resident Clergyman. The Vicar of Twyford, therefore, as a preliminary step towards attaining his object, gained the consent of his patron and of his Diocesan, to endow the Chapel of Owslebury, as a perpetual Curacy, with 491. per ann. for ever; chargeable upon the Vicarage of Twyford; the Vicar of that place for the time being, having the nomination to the benefice. Upon this, the commissioners of Queen Anne's Bounty made a grant of 2001. The lady already alluded to, then proposed to endow the Chapel, at her own charge, with 1007. per ann. for ever; also to purchase some adjoining land, and build upon it a glebe-house. In consequence of this munificent proposal, the Bounty Board made a further augmentation of 600%. and also of 2001. when the house should be built. The College of Corpus Christi, Oxford, holding the Manor of Marwell, consented to sell, upon liberal terms, a piece of ground contiguous to the Chapel, for the site of the glebe-house; and the building is to be commenced immediately. We think that the liberality thus exercised in accomplishing this pious work, should be on record. It is an encouragement to the Church, in these her days of trial, to see her cause so sustained; and the result affords a bright example of wisdom in devising, and of well-tempered zeal in executing a plan, which has for its object the honour of God, in the furtherance of his worship, and the well-being of his worshippers. CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.-The first stone of the north-western tower of Canterbury Cathedral, was laid on September 3, with the ceremonies usual on such occasions. The procession was arranged in the following order :-twelve beadsmen, in gowns, bearing white staves; two workmen, one bearing a level, the other a mallet; a workman with a silver trowel, the Choristers, the Lay Clerks, the Minor Canons, the Auditor, the Surveyor, Vergers, Prebendaries, the Lord Bishop of Oxford (Dean of Canterbury). The procession being formed round the stone, Dr. Russell, the Vice-Dean, and the Rev. Mr. Baylay, one of the Prebendaries, read the 67th Psalm; after which, the Lord Bishop of Oxford made an appropriate and excellent prayer, imploring the divine blessing on the work. The surveyor then placed some coins of the present reign, in a cavity prepared for that purpose, and to contain the plate, the inscription of which was read by Dr. Russell. After the plate was fixed by the surveyor, the Lord Bishop spread the mortar; the stone having been lowered by pullies, his Lordship with the mallet fixed the stone in its proper position; the choir then sung the 100th Psalm in fine style; after which the Lord Bishop of Oxford again prayed for the divine blessing to prosper the work they had begun. The choir concluded the ceremony by singing Gloria Patri by Croft; after which the procession returned in the same order it came. NATIONAL SCHOOL ROOM, BISHOP'S WALTHAM.-The first stone of a National School Room, for the education of 100 girls and 100 boys, was laid at Bishop's Waltham, on Tuesday, the 11th of September, by Mrs. Ogle; the site adjoining the churchyard, on the eastern boundary, was liberally given by Mr. Hector, of Petersfield. CONVOCATION.-Forty-three Clergymen of the county of Northumberland, have petitioned his Majesty for a restoration of the Convocation. CONFIRMATION.-The Bishop of Winchester administered the rite of confirmation lately, to about 200 young persons, at Christ-church; on which occasion an elegant silver salver was added to the collection of communion plate, the donation of John Spicer, Esq. the Mayor; the Rev. Prelate also confirmed 600 at Basingstoke. VICAR OF CHARLES, PLYMOUTH.-At a Common Hall, held on the 28th of August, at Plymouth, for electing a Clergyman to the office of Vicar of Charles, vacant by the decease of the late Dr. Carne, it was resolved to postpone the day of election to the 1st of December next, for the purpose of allowing time for the candidates, (of whom eleven were then named) to perform divine service, each one Sunday, in the parish Church. * The sum must be less than 50%., or the governors of Queen Anne's bounty could not give their aid. |