IN THE ancient civil parishes, the resident householders are, with certain exceptions, eligible for the office of churchwarden. Those exceptions comprise Jews, minors, aliens, and persons who have been convicted of felony, perjury, or fraud. Dissenters, whether Roman Catholic or Protestant, are con­sequently eligible, and may serve in person or by deputies, which deputies, however, must have the approval of the parishioners in vestry assembled. Of course, it is highly undesirable that anyone who is not a Churchman should hold the office, and it is surprising that any but a Churchman should care to hold it. A case, however, was recently submitted to the Chan­cellor of Chester, in which objections were raised against the appointment of Mr Joseph Littler as churchwarden of the parish church of Thornton-le-Moors. The trouble began with his nomination by the rector as his churchwarden, and the rector's action in the matter is as unintelligible to us as Mr Littler's willingness to take office. . . If Mr Littler loyally carried out the requirements of [Canon XC], he would, finding himself irregular in his attendance at church, present himself to the ordinary of the place after having earnestly, but ineffectually, called upon himself to mend his ways. It appears to be his intention to appoint a deputy to perform his duties, in part, at least. Such ap­­pointment has to receive the sanction of parishioners, and it now rests with them to decide whether the person he nominates is a fit and proper person, and we trust they will exercise their right.