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."

* * * * *

Notes

ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHAUCER, NO. IV.

_The Pilgrimage to Canterbury._

"Whanne that April with his shoures sote
The droughte of March hath perced to the rote,
And bathed every veine in swiche licour
Of which vertue engendred is the flour;
When Zephyrus eke with his sote brethe
Enspired hath in every holt and hethe
The tendre croppes--and the