:pbesident'8 address. 223 



A new History of Cornwall by an anonymous author has 

 been published, since Mr. Davies-Gilbert wrote in 1837, entitled 

 "The Complete Parochial History of the County of Cornwall." 

 It is known as Lake's History, from Mr. Lake, of Truro, the 

 publisher. It is stated on the title page to have been compiled 

 from the best authorities, and Lysons and other authors, with 

 all their errors, have been faithfully followed. No attempt has 

 been made, so far as appears, at independent research. Never- 

 theless it is a useful work, as the compiler has printed the 

 monumental inscriptions existing in the various churches, but, 

 like every other record, they, of course, require verification. 



I must not forget to mention the excellent work done by 

 this Institution from the date of its foundation in 1818, as well 

 in Science as in Local History. It is equalled by few and 

 surpassed by none. Its Annual Keports for the first 40 years of 

 its labours, and its Journal since 1864, contain matter of the 

 highest value to historical students — but its usefulness is greatly 

 marred through the want of a good general index, which ought 

 to be supplied without delay. This, I think, is one of the first 

 works to be taken in hand. 



Cornwall, fortunately for her, through the labours of two 

 of her gifted sons, Messrs. Boase and Courtney, possesses in 

 the " Bibliotheca Cornubiensis " an admirable guide to all the 

 printed historical literature of the county, and by reference to 

 this valuable work, a fellow to which I believe is not to be 

 found in any other county, together with the ' ' Collectanea 

 Cornubiensia " of Mr. G. C. Boase, will suffice I think for all 

 practical purposes, as far as printed books are concerned. I 

 will, therefore, turn to the consideration of some of the manu- 

 script materials to be found in the county. 



First in importance among those manuscript records we 

 must place the Parish Registers of baptisms, weddings and 

 burials. These registers are of the highest value to all classes 

 of the community, especially to the middle and lower classes, 

 though the succession to many peerages have been proved by 

 them, yet have these records from the day of their institution in 

 1538 to almost our own time, been treated with the greatest 

 carelessness and neglect. 



