SEE OF DURHAM. (Hansard, 4 March 1836)

The Marquess of Londonderry

was desirous, in consequence of information which had reached him, that it was intended by the Government to effect a reduction in the revenues attached to the see of Durham, to offer to the noble Lord at the head of the Adminis- 1203 tration a few suggestions before any decision upon the subject was finally come to. It was wholly impossible for him to approach this topic without expressing the deep and general regret which was experienced throughout the district of the country in question by the death of the right rev. Prelate who last tilled the see. He was a man, whose bearing and eminent Christian qualities placed him amongst the most respected dignitaries of the Prelates' Bench. Indeed, without casting the slightest disparagement upon its present or future occupants, he might becomingly say, that He was a man, take him for all in all, We ne'er shall look upon his like again. With this passing tribute to the memory of a talented individual, he would proceed at once to explain the object he had in view in addressing their Lordships. It would seem to be the intention of Government to reduce the revenues of the vacant see to a very small amount. Now, before they did so, he asked the noble Lords, who had such an arrangement in contemplation, to take into consideration the singular position in which the district included within its limits was placed. It should, in the first instance, be borne in mind that a very large tract of the country was Church property, and that, consequently, there were to be found in it fewer resident independent gentlemen than in any other in England. During the life of the late Bishop the hospitality of the palace was supported in a princely manner, and twice a year the Judges were entertained there during their stay in the county. Now, if the income of the new bishop was reduced this would be impossible, and not only would the poorer classes be deprived of the advantages arising from the keeping up of a large establishment, but the reception of the Judges on the occasion of the Assizes would be thrown upon the shoulders of the gentry, who were but indifferently able to bear the consequent expenses. He would also suggest, that if any reduction of the revenues took place, the sum of 2,000l. a-year hitherto annually allowed by the Bishop to the College should be transferred to that body from the fund arising out of the reduction.