`  :I don't have an exact timeline for ``correction`` of this perceived ``abuse`` of the system, but this sort of thing was common in the world then. English bought and sold ranks in the Army; they were listed in the newspaper ``For sale!`` Getting a post could be a problem!  )  But you automatically got half-pay for sitting around doing nothing! :The government supported the church. The often well-to-do major landowner of the surrounding area had influence on who was appointed (if you're American, think Polly Harrington in the book or film ``Pollyanna (1960 film)``). Duties varied since the population varied. There were probably ``livings`` where they reasonably shouldn't have placed a congregation, but to remove it would deprive rural Anglicans of churchgoing. Livings weren't necessarily permanent. The clergy could be replaced so the political situation had to be taken into account. Think of William Collins in Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV series).  :Morals analysis changed. Perception of ``abuse`` changed as well. It wasn't considered ``crooked`` but just normal procedure at the time. :Having said that, this information should be somewhere, but probably not in this article. An Anglican church article? Kind of touches on it in Curate#Anglican_Communion.   `