E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Passing Rich.
Goldsmith tells us in his Deserted Village, that the clergyman was “passing rich with £40 a year.” This is no covert satire, but a sober fact. Equal to about £350.
1
“A man he was to all the country dear,
And passing rich with forty pounds a year.”
Goldsmith: Deserted Village.
In Norway and Sweden the clergy are paid from £20 to £40 a year, and in France £40 a year is the usual stipend of the working clergy. Of St. Yves it was said (1251–1303):—
2
“Il distribuait, avec une sainte profusion aux pauvres, les revenus de son bénéfice et ceux de son patrimoine, qui étaient de £60 de rente, alors une somme très notable, particulièrement en Basse Bretagne.”—Dom Lobineau: Lives of the Saints of Great Britain.
