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