Our next is from a correspondent (who has favoured us with his name)
who proposes a scheme almost more extensive than that advocated by MR.
DUNKIN, but who differs from that gentleman by recognising the
necessity of combined endeavour to carry it out.
A few years since I propounded a scheme for an _Ecclesiologicon
Anglicanum_, or record of the history, not only architectural and
monumental, but also local and traditional, of every parish in England.
Though I had long conceived such a design, I must confess myself indebted
to some excellent remarks on the subject which appeared in the
_Ecclesiologist_ (New Series, No. x., April 1846). Fully aware that so
stupendous a work could never be accomplished by any single individual, I
compiled a prospectus of my design, and invited the co-operation of all
antiquaries. I proposed to publish at intervals, and in alphabetical order,
the parishes of every county, and by dividing the labour among different
coadjutors, and giving to each a separate branch of inquiry, thereby
insuring, by successive revisions, a certainty of correctness, I hoped to
succeed in the undertaking. My project was, however, laid aside by reason
of other engagements; but, as I still think it worthy of consideration, I
have troubled you with these "Notes" in the hope that, by publication in
your pages, they may be the means of suggesting to others interested in the
matter the practicability of carrying them out. Though with no definite
object in view, but with a presentiment of their after utility, I have,
during many provincial campaigns, collected architectural notes, as well as
genealogical memoranda, from the churches I have visited. To these, such as
they are, any of your readers is welcome, for the purposes to which I have
referred, and I know many who would gladly send their contributions to such
an undertaking.