Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 24, 1913.djvu/131

 Rcf>orf of Brand CoiUDiittcc. 115

It is therefore proposed that the general covering title of the new work shall be BraucVs Popular Antiquities, fol- lowed by a specific title for the several divisions of the work. The whole history of the mode of arrangement will be explained in a Preface.

Should it be thought that this treatment is in any way disrespectful to the memory of the man whose name is so intimately associated with the subject, a moment's con- sideration will show that in Ellis's " Brand " the contents have been so much enlarged and rearranged as to have lost all resemblance to the original edition.

The first work to be attended to b)' the Committee has been the preparation of a Bibliography. The principal works to be consulted were, of course, well known, but much difficulty has been experienced in obtaining the names of local publications, and this part of the list still requires supplementing from local information. Parochial histories generally yield more matter than county works. Glossaries, memoirs, and reminiscences are also valuable sources. The Committee are much indebted to Dr. T. E. Lones, who has examined numbers of likely works at the British Museum and weeded out from the list such as proved not to contain any useful matter.

Considerable difficulty has in some cases been experienced in obtaining copies of books, as many workers live out of reach of libraries.

It has been arranged that general works should each be undertaken by one worker, and not by several persons searching for particular districts only; but local works have as far as possible been entrusted to workers locally interested.

Nearly a hundred workers responded to the Committee's appeal for help, and though few have been able to give permanent assistance, yet their united efforts, though temporary, have resulted in a considerable body of material being got together.