CATHE'DRAL, from a Greek word cathedra, signifying a seat. Thus, " to speak ex cathedra," is to speak as from a seat of authority. The C. city is the seat of the bishop of the diocese, and his throne is placed in the C. church, which is the parish church of the whole diocese. The diocese was, in fact, anciently called parochia, until the cation of this name to the smaller portions into which it was derived. A C. town has generally been understood to be entitled to the honors of a city, even although the town be not a borough incorporate; but in the case of Manchester, the claim was disallowed by a court of law. The distinction between C. and collegiate churches consists princi pally in the see of the bishop being at the former. The governing body of a C. is called the dean and chapter—i.e., the dean and canons who meet for corporate purposes in the chapter-house of the cathedral. The property of the C. vests in this body. They elect the bishop of the diocese on the issue of a conge d'ilire from the crown, but as the person to be elected is always named, and they may be compelled by a mandamus to elect that person and no other, the election is merely a form.
The bishop is "visitor" of the dean and chapter. In England, by the act of 1840, all members of cathedrals, except the dean, are styled canons. Their seat in the C. is
called their stall. They are no longer called prebends. Canons must reside 3 months in each year. The act allows to the canons of Durham, Manchester, St. Paul's, and Westminster, an income of £1000 per annum; to those of every other C. in England, £500. The bishop was always considered of common right to have the patronage of but formerly there were exceptions. Now, the appointment to all canonries is vested either in the bishop, or in the crown. Where. the bishop is patron, he •` col lates," and the dean and chapter " induct," by placing the new canon in a stall in the church. The crown appoints by letters-patent, and the canon is installed without colla tion. Honorary canons have no emoluments, but rank after the canons. Minor canons, of 'whom there are from 2 to 6 in each C., perform the daily choral services. The C. service is the usual church of England service intoned, with an anthem and the Psalms chanted. For the general plan of C. buildings, see CHURCH. The more remarkable cathedrals will be noticed under the names of the towns in which they are situated. In England, the number of cathedrals is 29.