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    Untitled Article

    of their respective dioceses . J . B . Cantuar ; T . Ebor ; C . J . London ; E . Dunelm ; CR . Winton ; J . Lincoln ; C . Bangor ; H . Carlisle ; G . Rochester ; J . H . Glocester and Bristol ; C . T . Ripon ; E . Sarum ; G . Peterborough ; C . St . Davids ; H . Worcester ; A . T . Cice > ter ; J . Lichfield ; T . Ely ; S . Oxon } T . V . St . Asaph ; J . Chester ; S . Norwich ; A . Llandaff ; Auckland , Sodor , and Man . " Beloved Brethren , —We have viewed with the deepest anxiety the troubles , suspicions , and discontents which have of late , in some parishes , accompanied the introduction of ritual observances exceeding those in common use amongst us . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    " We long indulged the hope that , under the influence of charity , forbearance , and a calm estimate of the small importance of such external forms , compared with the blessing of united action in the great spiritual work which is before our Church , these heats and jealousies might by mutual concessions be allayed . But since the evil still exists , and in one most important feature has assumed a new and more dangerous character , we feel that it is our duty to try whether an earnest and united address on our part may tend , under the blessing of God , to promote the restoration of peace and harmony in the Church . " The principal point in dispute is this—whether , where the letter of the Rubric seems to warrant a measure of

    ritual observance which yet , by long and possibly by unbroken practice , has not been carried out , the clergy are either in conscience required , or absolutely at liberty , to act each upon his own view of the letter of the precept rather than by the rule of common practice . Now , as to this question , we would urge upon you the following considerations : —First , that any change of usages with which the relig ious feelings of a congregation have become associated is in itself so likely to do harm that it is not to be introduced without the greatest caution ; secondly , that , beyond this , any change which makes it

    difficult for the congregation at large to join in the service is still mare to be avoided ; thirdly , that any change which suggests the fear of still further alterations is most injuiious ; and , fourthly , that , according to the rule laid down in the Book of Common Prayer , where anything is doubted or diversely taken ' concerning the manner how to understand , do , and execute the things contained in that book , the parties that so doubt , or diversely take anything , shall alway resort to the bishop of the diocese , who by his discretion shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the same , so that the same order be not contrary to anything contained in that book . '

    " The fair application of these principles would , we lelieve , solve most of the difficulties which have arisen . It would prevent all sudden and startling alterations ; and it would facilitate the reception of any change which ¦ was really lawful and desirable . We would , therefore , first urge upon our reverend brethren with affectionate earnestness the adoption of such a rule of conduct . We -would beseech all who , whethei by execs- or defect , have fcroken in upon the uniformity , and contributed to relax the authority of our ritual observances , to consider the

    importance of unity and order , and by common consent to avoid whatever might tend to violate them . In recommending this course as the best under present circumstances , we do not shut our eyes to the evil of even the appearance of any discrepancy existing between the written law and the practice of the Church . But there are many cases where the law may be variously interpreted ; and we believe that we are best carrying out her own principles in urging you to have recourse in all such cases to the advice of her chief pastors .

    " But , beyond mere attempts to restore an unusual strictness of ritual observance , we have to deal with a distinct and serious evil . A principle has of late been avowed ami acted on which , if admitted , would justify far greater and more uncertain changes . It ' n this—that as the Church of Kngland is the ancient Cat holic Church settled in this land be lore the . Reformation , and was then reformed only by the casting away of certain strictlydefined corruptions ; then-fore , whatever form or linage existed in the Church before its reformation may now he freely introduced and observed , unless then ? can lie alleged ag . iinst it the distinct letter of some formal prohibition .

    "Now , against , any such inference from the undoubted identity of ihe . Church before and after the Information , we feel bound to enter our clear and unhesitating protest . We believe that at the . Reformation the KugliHh Church not only rejected certain corruptions , but also , without in any degree ? . severing her connection with the ancient Catholic Church , intended to establish one uniform ritual , according to which her public . services should he conducted . lint it is manifest thai , a license such an is contended for is wholly incompatihle with any uniformity of worship whatsoever , and at variance with the universal practice of the Catholic Church , which has never piveri to the officiating ministers of separate congregations any such large discretion in the selection of ritual observances .

    " We therefore beseech any who may have proposed to themselves the restoration of what , under sanction ol thin principle , they deemed u lawful system , to consider the dangers which it involves ; to nee it in its trir ; light , aiul to take a more just , and sober view of the real position of our Church ; whilst , with equal earnestness , we beseech others , who , either by intentional omission or by Itcglect and laxity , may huve disturbed tile uniformity and weakened I ho authority of our prescribed ritual , to strengthen the side of order by avoiding all unneeehsary deviations from tin- Church's I llle .

    "Such harmony of action we are persuaded would , under God ' s blesbing , go far towards retituriiiK the peace of the Church . Tins happy reKuli . would more cleaily exhibit her spiritual character . The mutual relations of her vurioua members would be more distinctly perceived ; and our lay brethren would more readily acknowledge tho spcciul trunt committed to ua , as Htewarda of the

    mysteries of God , ' for the edifying of the body of Christ . They would join with us in asserting , and , if need be , defending for themselves , as much as for u » , the true spiritual freedom of the Church . They would unite with us in a more trustful spirit , and therefore with a more ready will , in enlarging her means and strengthening her powers for the great wor she has to do amongst the swarming multitudes of our great towns at home and of our vast dominions abroad ; and that Church which has so long received from the hands of God such unequalled blessings might continue to be , yea and become more and more , ' a praise in the earth . ' " March 29 , 1851 . "

    Untitled Article

    THE TALBOT CASE . The Court of Chancery has been occupied three days in discussing what ought to be done with this young lady , whose fortune of £ 85 , 000 renders her an object of so very much attention . As we stated last week , Miss Talbot ' s stepfather , Mr . Craven Berkeley , presented a petition , praying that the matter should be brought under the notice of the court ; and her testamentary guardian , Dr . Doyle , presented a counter petition , praying that a reference should be made to the Master for a scheme , making provision with respect to the future residence and management of Miss Talbot during her minority . Mr . Rolt , who appeared on behalf of Dr . Doyle , gave an outline of the case , which embodied nothing new . The Solicitor-General followed on behalf of Mr . Berkeley , whose petition , he said , coincided with that of Dr . Doyle as to the removal of Miss Talbot from the convent , but it had the merit of having been presented several weeks before the other . The petition of Dr . Doyle had not been presented until after the discussion in the House of Commons , when it . had become evident that Miss Talbot would not be

    allowed to remain any longer in the convent ; indeed unless Mr . Berkeley had moved in the matter no step would have been taken in the mutter at all . The case on which Mr . Berkeley ' s petition was founded was , that the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury had neglected their charge . Instead of taking Miss Talbot under their care , they had placed her at a school where boarders were received for forty guineas per annum . The following is a prospectus of the establishment : —

    " The Lodge , Taunton . The age of admission to thirteen years old inclusive . Twenty-eight young ladies only are admitted . They must be children of Roman Catholic parents . For board , washing , sheets , towels , stationer )' , and school books , forty guineas per annnm , half of which is always paid in advance , and two guineas entrance . Education comprises the principles and practice of the Catholic religion , the English and French languages , history , geography , writing , arithmetic , plain

    and fine needlework , &c . The uniform dress on Sundays— white muslin and blue sash ; every day in summer , a gingham , procured at Taunton Lodge ; in winter , a dark blue merino , straw bonnet , trimmed with blue ribbon ; other articles of dress as each young lady may have been accustomed to . No vacation ; and no deduction is made for absence if by way of indulgence ; if absence is occasioned by illness , a deduction is then made . If parents take their children home , it can only bn for a month once in a year . "

    From 1811 till 18 / 50 she remained there with hardly any notice on the part of her noble relatives . During all that time she visited Alton Towers only once , and received only one visit from tho Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury at " The Lodge . " The young lady was kept in a state of complete seclusion . At tho age when habits and manners began to be formed , she was left without any other society than that which the abbess . Dr . Doyle , or the person calling himself " Bishop of Clifton " chose to afford her . In May , 18 / 30 , Lord Shrewsbury appeared to

    have awakened to a sense of his responsibilities . Miss Talbot was taken from "The Lodge , " and introduced into society . During that period a marriage , was contemplated between the young ludy and a brother of the Duke of liochcfoucnult , but the match was broken off afterwards with her full approbation . The Marl and ( ! ounte »« of Shrewsbury went abroad in September last year , but they did not take Miss Talbot with them . The . Solicitor- General thought they had very much neglected their duty on that occasion : —•

    " It waH their duty to have come to the court , and stated to his lordship all that had taken plaeu . They ought to have seen that tlie young lad y wan placed in n position befitting her nge , her rank , and her expectations , and , at all events , that she should bo placed in some family where she would be no longer under strict conventual Mcclusion , and under strict direction , as lie believed it . was termed in the Church of Home—that she should he no longer under that dominion , which at her age she had no moans of resisting—and that she should be removed from the control which must naturally be

    assumed by those who take a peculiar view with regard to the importance of a spiritual life . He thought the guardians of tho young lady were bound to take flare that she did not return to the . convent until they hud apprised hin lordship that it was a mere temporary arrangement until Home more fitting arrangement had been come to . If there was no suitable place to nend her to nt that moment , and that , she had been sent theie as a boarder merel y for a few weeks , the thing would have aSHuin . il a very different churacter ; but it was difficult to conceive even thin case to arise with tho large and influential connections of Lord and Lad y ( Shrewsbury

    it was impossible in their circle of friends and acquaintances that some family could not be found who would be willing to receive this young lady . If these parties had really taken the least interest in what became of her there would have been no difficulty in making suitable arrangements for the proper care and custody of a charge which they should have regarded in the light of a child entrusted to its parents . " Dr . Doyle , in his affidavit , had said he never wished her to become a nun or to take the "veil , because he

    thought she was not qualified for that state . He also stated , that he wrote to her oh the 15 th of March — after the question had been publicly discussed however—to dissuade her from taking such a step , having had an impression that she intended doing so . But why had he remained silent so long ? From September , when she entered the convent , up till the 15 th of March , Dr . Doyle had no communication with the young lady , had never interfered till he was informed by somebody or other that she was wavering as to whether she would take the veil or not : —

    " It was one of the most monstrous instances of neglect on the part of a guardian that could possibly be imagined . There was that young lady , who had been brought up as a hothouse plant , in that secluded state totally unfitted for the world ; she was suddenly thrown into the bustle of the London season , and the hurry and fatigue attendant thereon naturally produced that very reaction the convent wished for ; and yet Dr . Doyle took no notice of her , until public attention was called to the matter , and the feelings of the public aroused . "

    The Solicitor-General then proceeded to show , from Mr . Berkeley ' s affidavit , and also from that of Miss Jerningham , that Miss Talbot had been received at " The Lodge " as a postulant , although ah effort was made by the latter to make it appear that the young lady was only a boarder , under the name of a postulant . The fact , however , of Bishop Hendren having stated in his letter to the Times that she was admitted as a postulant at her own special request was enough to show the real state of the case . It had been stated by Dr . Hendren that her taking the veil would not divest her of her property , but it was

    well known how religious houses dealt with the consciences of those who joined them , and yet attempted to retain a control over their worldly goods . As a proof of this the Solicitor-General referred to a recent trial in Ireland , where two sisters , who had taken the veil , signed a deed which gave their property to the convent . In the course of the trial one of the sisters , who had taken the vows of chastity , povert ) , and obedience , was reported to have declared that " was compelled to sign away her fortune as completely by compulsion as if a highwayman had held a pistol to her head . "

    Mr . Birkbeck believed the court would be of opinion that Dr . Doyle , in permitting Miss Talbot to be placed in the convent , had been guilty of a gross contempt of his lordship ' s order , and of that court . Being deserted by Lord and Lady Shrewsbury , who had gone to the Continent for some indefinite period , it was not surprising that she should express a wish to return to a place where , he had no doubt , she had been treated with kindness and consideration , namely , the convent ; and , finding that she could not be admitted as aboarder , she preferred going in aa a postulant . In Van Espan it Was laid down that a postulant was one seeking a conventual life and in probation , and the words of Miss Jerningham" that she was as likely to become a nun as not "fully corroborated that definition .

    Mr . Holt , on behalf of Dr . Doyle , contended that no case had been made out at all for interference on tho pnrt of Mr . Berkeley . Throughout tho whole proceedings Dr . Doyle had acted under a sense of the obligation he believed he had incurred in becoming the guardian of Miss Talbot , and , therefore , no blame could be attached to him . So far as he could gather from the general statements made , the charge against the guardians of the young lady was that Mihm Talbot hud been placed in certain circumstances , and subjected to certain priestly influences , with a view to muko her adopt a life of religious seclusion , and thereby secure her fortune for the Romish Church .

    But thin incident in the drama was not thought sufficient , and a . second one was accordingly introduced They were told that Lady Shrewsbury hud attempted to coerce Minn Talbot into a marriage repugnant to her feelings , with tho alternative of being sent buck to the convent , held out as a threat , either to force her into the marriage , or to punish her for refusing . But the two charges were self-contradictory-. They destroyed eueh other , and , therefore , hardly deserved any serious refutation . Tho only point requiring any explanation wuh the statement as to Mihh Tulbot '»

    having been received , lust September , us u postulnijt . It hnd been stated by MisH Jeminghum thut the rules of the convent prevented uny person from being received a second time , except as a postulant . " This was a very proper rule , hh it prevented a young person who hud mixed with tho world from communicating her notions and ideas to tho young pupil" - " Hut in Miss Talbot ' s case this rule had been relaxed-She wuh received nominally as a postulant , iu reality us a boarder . He now camo to the roul cause of her being sent buck to the convent . In the autumn of lust your certain communications luid passed

    Untitled Article

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 5, 1851, page 312, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1877/page/4/