Notes and Queries, Number 53, November 2, 1850 | Page 3

that it is otherwise than an open question to Mr.
Halliwell. For satisfactory proof in support of my position, time only, I

firmly believe, is required; but the first stage in every case is to remove
the false conclusion that has been drawn, to weaken its impression, and
to reduce it to its true value; and that I have endeavoured to do in the
present paper. In conclusion, I take the opportunity of saying, as the
circumstance in some degree bears upon the present question, that the
evidence in support of the priority of Shakspeare's Taming of the Shrew
to the so-called older play which I withheld, together with what I have
collected since my last paper on the subject, is I think stronger even
than that which I communicated.
SAMUEL HICKSON.
October, 1850.
[Footnote 1: This communication was written and in our hands before
the appearance of Mr. Halliwell's advertisement and letter to _The
Times_, announcing that the edition of Shakspeare advertised as to be
edited by him and published by the Messrs. Tallis, is only a reprint of
an edition, with Notes and Introductions by Mr. Halliwell, which was
commenced at New York some months ago.--ED.]
* * * * * {371}
A PLAN FOR A CHURCH-HISTORY SOCIETY.
The formation of a Society, having for its object any special literary
service, is a matter so closely connected with the very purpose for
which this paper was established, that we shall only be carrying out that
purpose by calling the attention of our readers to a small pamphlet in
which our valued correspondent DR. MAITLAND offers a few
suggestions to all who may be interested in the formation of a
"CHURCH-HISTORY SOCIETY, and willing to co-operate in such a
design."
DR. MAITLAND'S suggestions are:
1. The collection of a library containing the books particularly required
for the objects of the proposed society: and those who have not paid
attention to the subject will perhaps be surprised to learn that in DR.
MAITLAND'S opinion (and few higher authorities can be found on this
point), "A moderate-sized room would hold such a library, and a very
few hundred pounds would pay for it." On the advantage of this plan to
the editors of the works to be published by the Society, it can scarcely
be necessary to insist; but other benefits would result from the
formation of such a library, for which we may refer, however, to the

pamphlet itself.
The next points treated of are the works to be undertaken by the Society;
which may briefly be described as
2. New and corrected editions of works already known and esteemed;
critical editions, for instance, of such well-known writers as Fox, Fuller,
Burnet, and Strype: and the completion, by way of "posting up," of
such as have become defective through lapse of time, like Le Neve's
_Fasti_, Godwin's _De Presulibus_, &c.
3. The compilation of such original works as may be considered
desiderata. A General Church-History on such a scale, and so far
entering into details as to interest a reader, is not to be found in our
language; nor has the Church of England any thing like the Gallia
Christiana or Italia Sacra. We mention these merely as instances,
referring, of course, for further illustration to the pamphlet itself,
merely quoting the following paragraph:--
"But on the subject of publication, I must add one thing more, which
appeals to me to be of vital importance to the respectability and
efficiency of such a Society. It must not build its hopes, and stake its
existence, on the cupidity of subscribers--it must not live on appeals to
their covetousness--it must not be, nor act as if it were, a joint-stock
company formed to undersell the trade. It must not rest on the chance
of getting subscribers who will shut their eyes, and open their mouths,
and take what is given them, on a mere assurance that it shall be more
in quantity for the money, than a bookseller can afford to offer."
DR. MAITLAND's fourth section, on the _Discovery of Materials_,
tempts us to further extracts. After remarking that
"It would be a most important and valuable part of the Society's work
to discover in various ways--chiefly by the employing fit persons to
look for, inspect, and make known--such materials for Church-History
as remain unpublished."
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