Notes and Queries, Number 53, November 2, 1850 | Page 4

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.
* * * * *
BURNET AS A HISTORIAN.
The following extract from Charles Lamb ought to be added to the
testimonia already given by "NOTES AND QUERIES" (Vol. i., pp. 40.
181. 341. 493.):--
"_Burnet's Own Times._--Did you ever read that garrulous, pleasant
history? He tells his story like an old man past political service,
bragging to his sons on winter evenings of the part he took in public
transactions when his 'old cap was new.' Full of scandal, which all true
history is. So palliative; but all the stark wickedness that actually gives
the momentum to national actors. Quite the prattle of age and outlived
importance. Truth and sincerity staring out upon you perpetually in alto
relievo. Himself a party-man, he makes you a party-man. None of the
cursed philosophical Humeian indifference, 'so cold and unnatural and
inhuman.' None of the cursed Gibbonian fine writing, so fine and

composite. None of Dr. Robertson's periods with three members. None
of Mr. Roscoe's sage remarks, all so apposite and coming in so clever,
lest the reader should