A very slight consideration of the object which it is proposed to
accomplish, and the means by which it can be attained, will show that
it falls properly into three distinct operations, namely, Collection,
Preservation, and Publication.
The first and most important is, the Collection of Materials. In this,
it is obvious, the co-operation of individuals well qualified for the
work may be secured in all parts of the country, provided some
well-defined plan of operation is furnished for their guidance, by some
recognised centre of union. A Committee of the Society of Antiquaries,
who should well consider and determine upon some uniform plan of
recording the inscriptions, &c., is clearly the body who, from their
position, could most effectually, and with the greatest propriety,
issue such circulars. That the Antiquaries would in this receive the
support of both the Archaeological Societies, there cannot, of course,
be any doubt.
And as we have in the Society of Antiquaries a machinery already
established for the proper collection of the materials, so we have an
existing and most appropriate place for their preservation in the
British Museum, where they may be consulted at all times, by all
parties, with the greatest facility, and free of charge.
These two great points, then, of Collection and Preservation, it is
clear may be attained at an expense so inconsiderable, compared with
the benefits to be gained from their accomplishment, that we cannot
believe in their failure from want of funds.
For the accomplishment of the third great end, that of Publication,
there is no existing machinery. But let the work of collection and
preservation be once fairly entered upon--let it be seen how valuable a
collection of materials has been gathered ready to the hand of a
Society which should undertake its publication, and there need be
little fear that from the supporters of the various Antiquarian,
Archaeological, and Publishing Societies, now spread throughout the
country, there would be found plenty of good men and true ready to lend
their aid to the printings and publishing of the MONUMENTARIUM
ANGLICANUM.
But as the first step is COLLECTION--and that step is the one in which
the SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES can best move, we trust that the present
year, in which this Society celebrates the centenary of its chartered
existence, will be signalised by its promotion of such a Record of
Existing Monuments as is here proposed; which cannot be otherwise
regarded--(and we use the words of the Society's Charter)--than as
"good, useful, honest, and necessary for the encouragement,
advancement, and furtherance of the study and knowledge of Antiquities
and the History of this Country."
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