Original Letters and Extracts of Communications to MR. WYLDE, on the subject of the former Pamphlet. REV. SIR, The Rev. R. D. to the Rev. S. T. Wylde. I find one instance of illegal connexion at R-bw, in consequence of the facility, afforded in the neighbourhood of Bristol, of entering into a state of matrimony, without proper inquiry, and that is a man married to his Brother's Widow. Jan. 25th, 1815. I am, Rev. Sir, Your very humble Servant, R. D. Extracts from the Letter of the Rev. T. A. S. to the Rev. S. T. Wylde. MY DEAR SIR, - Dec. 3, 1812. I beg to return you my sincerest thanks, both as a private individual, and as a member also of that venerable order to which I have the honor to belong, for the very handsome compliment which you yesterday had the goodness to confer on me, by transmitting to me a copy of your excellent printed letter, (accompanied with your polite note,) on a subject, which I conceive to be of the utmost importance, at the present critical moment, not only to the civil and religious welfare of the community at large, but even to the very existence and stability of the Church itself, as maintained in this realm by law. Most cordially, my dear Sir, do I as a Brother Clergyman, congratulate the whole sacerdotal body, and most cordially, too, do I, as a private Christian, congratulate the whole of the Christian Laity of this kingdom likewise, that some measures at least, in this holy" labor of love" and charity, are, at last, about to be submitted to the consideration of our Legislators in Parliament. They will, I conceive, see great reason, in the course of their future discussions on this weighty matter, for repealing the major part of the present Marriage Act, (26 Geo, II.) and more particularly for enacting some stronger and more binding ties on the parties applying for publication of banns in parishes wherein they do not reside, than those which now exist in the said Act. And, in regard to this point, I am perfectly, my good Sir, of your own opinion; and, indeed, (I must say,) have entertained the same myself for many years past, that the only apparent remedy for the prevention of the evil which is so much complained of at this day in this respect, would be to oblige every person " to take the same oath," on application for banns, as he is already obliged to do if he applies for a licence. Your addition, also, of a stamped certificate in this case is unquestionably an improvement upon it; as this would afford a constant security to the officiating clergyman, as to his legally solemnizing every marriage by banns, as well as "bring in," likewise, (as you justly remark, and for which, by the bye, my good friend, are you not intitled, if adopted, to a premium from Parliament, as the proposer of a new tax?) a considerable annual sum to Government." In the little parish wherefrom I now write, and of which I have been the Rector for nearly these 19 years past, there have been but two fugitives from it, on clandestine matrimonial excursions, (as far as ever I have heard to the contrary,) from the commencement of my incumbency to the present hour. The banns were in each instance published, and the marriage ceremony completely gone through, at that infamous Gretna-Green of the Westycleped Bedminster, without the residence, even for a single day, of either party! In both these cases, I failed not, for my part, to "cry aloud and spare not :" I "lifted up my voice like a trumpet" upon these occasions, and plainly " told my people their transgressions ;" but alas! all to no purpose! As well might I, I conceive, in either instance, have "beaten the air," or "struck the sounding brass, or the tinkling cymbal," for the effect which it produced on the parties themselves, who well knew, as well as myself, that the validity of their union could not be called in question under the authority of the present statute, and that they were therefore, in consequence, amenable themselves to no tribunal upon earth, for the steps which they had (for private reasons) thought proper to take in this matter! On some other folks, however, amongst my little flock, I have great ground for believing, that my interference in the abovementioned irregularities, happily wrought a proper influence, by deterring them, under pain of my heavy displeasure, from the commission of similar practices in their own case, and reconciling them to their own parish church, as the only fit place for joining their right hands together, and entering into VOL. I. No. I. C their mutual pledges (that "rior μsyíory"-as saith the old Grecian Bard Euripides) to each other in the sacred bonds of wedlock. I would now, my good Sir, draw your attention to another desideratum, (had I not trespassed already too much upon your patience) which I think might easily be supplied in the intended Marriage Act: namely, the allowing marriages to take place in all Churches and Chapels of Euse, indiscriminately: belonging (of course, I mean) to the establishment, and which have accordingly been duly consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese. But on this subject I must, for want of room here, refer you to the 1st vol. of the Ecclesiastical and University Register, p. 70-72. And it may be worth your while to look into the 2nd vol. also, p. 461. where you will find a case that will astonish you, if you have not seen it before. With every good wish to the cause in hand, which you have so laudably undertaken, I remain, my dear Sir, The Rev. R. F. to the Rev. S. T. Wylde. DEAR SIR, T. A. S. Dec. 5, 1812. I have received the favor of your note and printed letter. I have resided so short a period of time in this country, and no instance of improper connection having occurred (to my knowledge) in either of the parishes under my care, I have no communication to make of the nature you require. I agree with you, Sir, that a stop should be put (if possible) to the pernicious practice that obtains in some particular churches in large towns, and their environs, (for I hope it is not a general custom,) of marrying indis 35 criminately any parties who may present themselves, whose banns have been published. With respect to the diminution of marriages in country parishes, this is to be ascribed, I fear, more to the hard pressure of the times, than to the facility with which clandestine marriages may be contracted in towns. If every person who wishes to have his banns published, were obliged to apply to the clergyman for that purpose, to the exclusion of the parish-clerk, it might be attended with good effect, as the questions put by the former (supposing the applicant to be a stranger) would probably be more faithfully answered, and at all events the temptation of official emolument would be less seductive. Not having any parliamentary influence, I feel it is not in my power to further your very praise-worthy views. Since I addressed a letter to you on business, as a Commissioner of Taxes, I received your very correct and proper address to the Clergy, on the subject of abuses, which have long prevailed in and about Bristol, in respect to the immoral, and 1 think illegal, celebration of marriages. I beg you will accept my best thanks for your very laudable exertions, and I trust you will have the thanks and support of every clergyman for your endeavours to remove an evil 30 very generally complained of: it has existed in all the different parishes I have been, and still am, connected with, such as Worle, Kewstoke, Uphill, Rowberrow, and Bleadon; the inhabitants of those parishes have sent in their names by curriers to Bristol, for the publication of their |