7 



printed and manuscript, and formidable lists they are. A 

 " table des formes anciennes," that is, the Latinised forms s for 

 cross reference, completes the volume. 



We should, I think, certainly retain the above essential 

 feature in any scheme we may adopt, but should add, when 

 well established, those peculiar local pronunciations which 

 are now rapidly being lost. And I would make the further 

 suggestion that certain selected sources of information* should 

 be systematically read for the purpose by volunteer helpers, as 

 has been done to supply the material for the New English 

 Dictionary. Those who are willing so to assist should inform 

 their local society, and might perhaps enlist others. We are 

 so rich in mediaeval records that we should not only illustrate 

 the origin and history of existing names, but bring, I believe, 

 to light many that are now forgotten. Lastly, I desire to make 

 it clear that the scheme I suggest will not comprise philological 

 speculation. It aims only at collecting the evidence in a trust- 

 worthy and scientific form, a process which, in many cases, will 

 suffice to guide us to the origin of a name. 



My own work has lain so largely among r :ords of the 

 1 2th and nth centuries that the need of the work I am 

 advocating is continually brought home to me. The Deputy 

 Keeper of the Records, to whom I spoke lately on the subject, 

 told me that he thought the idea excellent, and I think we 

 might fairly reckon on the approval of the Public Record 

 Office, which is doing so much itself, by its noble series of 

 Calendars, to illustrate our local history and identify our 

 ancient place-names. In the striking words of Professor 

 Maitland : " The map of England is the most wonderful of all 

 palimpsests, could we but decipher it," and it is because I 

 agree with him that much of our history that is still dark is 

 written in the names that our remote forefathers gave to their 

 English homes that I ask you, as a Congress, to express the 



* Some printed works are not trustworthy for the purpose. 



vvuuiicj, o. J.., vuaiiiiwuuu, uaiiouuij 



