And

"That no person, not wholly illiterate and ignorant of

Church-History, could go about the metropolis only, seeking

after such matters during one month, without gathering into his

note-book much valuable matter."

The Doctor proceeds:

"By those who have not been led to consideration or inquiry upon

the subject, this may be deemed a mere speculation; but those

who are even slightly acquainted with the real state of things,

will, I believe agree with me that if men, respectable and in

earnest and moderately informed, would only set about the

matter, they would soon be astonished at the ease and rapidity

with which they would accumulate interesting and valuable

matter. Transcribing and printing, it is admitted, are expensive

processes, and little could be effected by them at first; but

merely to make known to the world by hasty, imperfect, even

blundering, lists or indexes, that things unsought and unknown

_exist_, would be an invaluable benefit."

We pass over the section on _Correspondence_, and that on the

establishment of _Provincial Societies_; but from the last, _On the

Privileges of Members_, we quote at even greater length.

"It is but honest to confess in plain terms, that the chief and

most obvious privilege of members at first, is likely to be

little more than a satisfactory belief that they are doing a

good work, and serving their generation. In a word, the

nicely-balanced _quid pro quo_ is not offered. It might be

prudent for the present to confine one's self to a positive

assurance that the Society will, at the worst, make as good a

return as several other societies formed for the promotion and

cultivation of other branches of knowledge. If subscribers will

only be content to pay as much, and receive as little, as the

fellows of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies, the

Church-History Society will thrive. But considering the nature

and object of the proposed Society, I cannot help expressing my

confidence that there are many Christian people who will give

their money freely, and no more wish to have part of it

returned, than if they had put it into a plate at a

church-door--let them only be satisfied that it will not be

embezzled or turned into waste paper.

"At the same time, the members of the Society might derive some

legitimate benefits. They would have constantly increasing

advantages from the use of their library, which would gradually

become, not only rich in books, but in transcripts, catalogues,

indexes, notices, &c., not to be found together elsewhere. Of

all these they would have a right to as much use and advantage

as joint-proprietors could enjoy without hindrance to each

other. With regard to works published by the Society, they might

reasonably expect to be supplied {372} with such as they should

choose to possess, on the same terms as if they were the

authors, or the owners of the copyright. These, however, are

details which, with many others, must be settled by the

managers; they are not mentioned as matters of primary

importance or inducement."

DR. MAITLAND concludes by observing, that he should not have ventured to

publish his plan, had he not been encouraged to do so by some whose

judgment he respected; and by inviting all who may approve or sanction

the plan, to make known (either by direct communication to himself, or

in any other way) their willingness to support such a Society, and the

amount of contribution, or annual donation, which, if the design is

carried out, may be expected from them. Of course such expressions of

opinion would be purely conditional, and would not pledge the writers to

support the Society if, when organised, they did not approve of the

arrangements; but it is clear no such arrangements can well be made

until something, is known as to the amount of support which may be

expected.

We have entered at some length upon this _Plan of a Church-History

Society_, and have quoted largely from DR. MAITLAND's pamphlet, because

we believe the subject to be one likely to interest a large body of our

readers, who might otherwise not have their attention called to a

proposal calculated to advance one of the most important branches of

historical learning.

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