i860] The " Formula" Expounded. 133 



the districts laid down upon it, both great and small, sooner than that 

 you, who have so kindly and so repeatedly helped me, should not follow 

 out the scheme thoroughly: the "father confessor" must comprehend 

 everything 1 when his advice is asked. 



Of course, the above was fuller than was needed, but as 

 an exposition of a long-cherished scheme it is scarcely out 

 of place here. 



By April 3rd data had been received from seventeen of 

 the twenty-five sub-provinces of England and Wales. 

 Scotland had yet sent few returns ; but south of the bor- 

 der " the principal blanks now " were south and north 

 Wales, Cheshire and Lancashire, and the Lake District. 

 In fact the second stage of the inquiry had been fully 

 entered upon. 



