THE peesident's addeess. 251 



Harvey, written in 1727, with additions and notes by J. Polsue. 



Tliere is a work which, although published in 1874, has not 

 been noticed in our Journal as a county work. The Yisitation 

 of the County of Cornwall in the year 1620. Edited by Lieut.- 

 Colonel J. L. Vivian and Dr. Henry H. Drake, M.A. The work, 

 which is interesting to genealogists and others, was printed for 

 the Harleian Society. 



There are also the two ponderous volumes containing the Returns 

 of owners of land in England in 1873, presented to both houses 

 of parliament. It is lamentable that this return has been so 

 very inaccurate, and is in so many respects untrustworthy. 



Besides the above, a few other works of less importance — three 

 of which relate to the eccentric "Poet-Priest" of Morwenstow — 

 and an amusing satirical work, ' ' The wonderful Cornish Coun- 

 cil," dedicated to Sir Charles Dilke, may be mentioned. 



To another work, which is almost ready for immediate publi- 

 cation, with the permission of the compiler and editor, Mr. George 

 Bown Millett, I venture to call your attention. It is " The 

 first book of the parish registers of Madron, in the County of 

 Cornwall, from 1557 to 1700." This book will give verbatim 

 copies of all the entries, during the period mentioned above : and 

 the Appendix will contain copies of monumental inscriptions, 

 lists of incumbents, and other parochial statistics. 



I notice this work particularly in order to call attention to the 

 special value of the publication, viz. : that the copies of the 

 registers are verbatim. This is, I understand, the first instance 

 of a copy of any Cornish Register having been printed, and it 

 is a work worthy of imitation. I hope the example will be fol- 

 lowed in other parishes. Eor purposes of local history, or in 

 case the originals should at any time be destroyed by fire or 

 damp or dust, the value of verbatim copies must be manifest. 



I have already alluded to the Index which is required to make 

 our Journal more useful for reference : may I also suggest that 

 some one should undertake to make an Index for PolwheWs 

 History of Cornwall. This work contains a mass of information 

 which is almost useless for general practical purposes from the 

 want of an Index, and considering the high price which the 

 work fetches in London and in America, whenever a copy is 

 found to be perfect, there can be little doubt that a careful Index 

 would find a ready and remunerative sale. And here I am re- 



