Item 178 - Letter from Connop Thirlwall

4 pp.

CT's opinion regarding WW's inquiry is 'that in my judgement the proposed union of the two North-Wales Bishoprics is a measure utterly unnecessary, impolitic, unjust, and pernicious'. No 'Diocese in the kingdom can so ill afford to lose any part of their ecclesiastical revenues' as the church in Wales. It seems to CT 'equivalent to a declaration, that in the opinion of those who alleged it the interests of the church, and the feelings of the people in North Wales, are of so little importance that they may properly be sacrificed - not to the welfare of an English Diocese, not to any object of politico-ecclesiastical etiquette, or to a notion of symmetry, or to some Episcopal aversion of danger to be apprehended from the example of an English Bishop who should not be a Lord of Parliament. Even with regard to this point I think the plea, miserable as it is, raises an argument of at least equal weight on the other side. For I think the Welsh might contend with quite as much reason that, if there is any advantage to be derived from the representation of the church in Parliament, they have not now more than their fair share of Episcopal representatives'. CT's Welsh printer is very slow printing his Charge. They are converting the South Transept of the Cathedral into a parish church.