peesident's addeess. 221 



A writer of history should quote, very specifically, his 

 authority for every statement of fact he makes, and verify every 

 quotation of others before he uses it. This will enable him to 

 avoid many pitfalls which a too careless following of others 

 might lead him into. Many, so-called, authorities which you 

 see cited in foot notes often fail to support the statement in the 

 text. If this be the case unhesitatingly reject the statement. 

 "Writers of history, so-called, are very prone to follow each 

 other like a flock of geese. This is the way in which many 

 egregious historical errors are perpetuated. 



We have adverted above to the great advantages which, of 

 late years, have been afforded to historical students. It must not, 

 however, be supposed that this lightens their labours. On the 

 contrary, it has greatly increased the responsibility of a con- 

 scientious writer. It gives him a wider field for research — 

 History is a coy damsel, and to be won must be wooed patiently 

 and persistently. 



With your permission, I will now proceed to offer a few 

 observations as to the sources from which a student of the 

 history of Cornwall should seek accurate material for his 

 purpose, and I shall not lead you back to pre-historic times. 

 Much has been said for antiquities of those times by my friend 

 Mr. lago. Domesday book is early enough for local modern 

 history. And in offering these remarks I must beg it to be 

 understood that I by no means put myself forward as a teacher. 

 There are many among you, I doubt not, better acquainted with 

 the subject than myself. I am but a humble student like your- 

 selves seeking after truth. 



The sources of local history are innumerable, but for the 

 present purpose they may be roughly divided into two classes ; 

 Local and External. — By Local, of course, is meant documents, 

 both in print and in manuscript, existing in the county ; and 

 by External similar documents to be found elsewhere. 



As to the former class I should, of course, first mention the 

 County Histories, and what can we say of these except that they 

 are woefully deficient in exact historical knowledge, and that 

 steps should be immediately taken to prepare a history worthy 



