254 Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset. 



speak, of parochial informants, taken from different classes of society, 

 so as not only to sub-divide the labour, but to secure the most ac- 

 curate information on the several branches of the subject. 



The design is the same as that of the "New Statistical Account 

 of Scotland," and the mode of execution similar. The ministers of 

 the Kirk of Scotland, with such assistance as the}!- could secure, 

 under the sanction of the General Assembly, have, in that topo- 

 graphical history of a whole kingdom, furnished a compilation 

 which must long be regarded as a lasting memorial of their intel- 

 ligence, their zeal, their research, and that varied and intimate 

 acquaintance with the affairs, history, condition, and resources of 

 their parishes, which so well becomes them. Entirely self reliant, 

 with no other pecuniary support than such as might arise from the 

 sale of the work, they have raised a monixment, without a parallel, 

 to their country's honour as well as their own. Cannot the clergy 

 of the Church of England do as much for a county or two ? 



They will not be without very considerable support and encou- 

 ragement. The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Lieuten ant of Wilts, 

 has desired that his name may appear as a well-wisher to the un- 

 dertaking. Others of high position and scientific acquirements 

 have signified their approval. The Bishop of Salisbury, within 

 whose Diocese three-fourths of Wilts and the whole of Dorset are 

 situated, gave his approval on its original announcement. He has 

 since taken an active part in its pi'omotion. He desired that his 

 Palace at Salisbury should be the head quarters of the movement, 

 and that it should embrace his whole Diocese, Dorset as well as 

 Wilts. He introduced the subject to the Archdeacons and Rural 

 Deans at their usual annual meeting held in Salisbury in 1856. In 

 the spring of the present year he desired that it should be discussed 

 by the whole body of the clergy in their E-uri-Decanal Chai^tcrs. 

 He again brought it before the Archdeacons and Rural Deans in 

 August last, with the intention of making some definite arrange- 

 ments. 



A committee was then organised, consisting of the Bishop with 

 certain Laymen and Clergymen, with Rev. C. W. Bingham as 

 Secretary for Dorset, and Rev. J. Wilkinson for Wilts. This 



