Untitled - Electric Scotland

CHAPTER VII.
CARLISLE.
1852-1856.
His constant journeys to London as a University
Commissioner had hitherto interfered greatly with the due
progress of all the work he had planned at Carlisle. Now
that he was released from these interruptions he threw
himself into his local duties with characteristic energy.
Besides such efforts as have been already referred to
for infusing new life into the somewhat sleepy parishes and
schools of Carlisle, and for promoting a better attendance
at the Cathedral services, he was intent upon two larger
undertakings the entire re-organisation of the Capitular
revenues under the scheme which had just been approved
in Parliament, and the restoration of the fabric of the
Cathedral itself. With reference to each of these a
few words seem to be necessary.
It would be difficult, without sacrificing either accuracy
or clearness, to describe the complicated and technical
legislation which was at that time transforming the whole
tenure of Church property in England. It is scarcely too
much to say that the system upon which the lands belong
ing to Cathedral bodies, and other ecclesiastical corpora
tions, had for many generations been managed, was one
which would not have been tolerated in any other institu
tion. The estates were usually leased by these corporations
either for terms of years, or for a certain number of
lives, whose^ duration was of course uncertain. The
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