_Parish Registers_ (Vol. v., p. 36.).--I am sorry not to be able to
agree with MR. CHADWICK in thinking "that no fee is legally payable for
searching the register-books of baptisms and burials, nor even for
making a copy," &c. It is quite certain that even parishioners have no
_right_ to inspect the parish books, except for ordinary parochial
purposes. In the case of Rex _v._ Smallpiece, 2 Chitt. _Rep._ 288., Lord
Tenterden said, "I know of no rule of law which requires the parish
officers to show the books, in order to gratify the curiosity of a
private individual." Therefore the "genealogical or archæological
inquirer" has in general no _right_ to inspect, much less copy the
register-books: consequently he must pay the fees demanded for being
allowed to do so.