Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 8.djvu/366

 300 NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 S.YIII. APRIL 9,1921. -difficulties of research in the midst of them. No again need one labour the comfort and th< practical importance of possessing in one's owr mind a clear and systematic plan of the genera classification and of the origin and distribution of records. Dr. Hall has here compiled anc arranged all the elements so far as England is concerned of this desirable knowledge. A com petent Introduction sketches the growth of th< archives and the progress of their ca^e anc custody. This is in itself a curious side-line o history, and as good an illustration as another of how terribly hard for mortal man to compass are order and economy. It is singular that the B evolutionary Government of France should have led the way in the matter of ensuring the safety of State documents, and that most Euro- pean countries modelled their schemes upon the French administration. The three main divisions of this compilation are : I. A Classified List of Public Records ; II. A Survey of Local Records, and III. A Direct ory of English Archives. (It is a pity that the page-heading of Part I. has been continued through Part II.) The sub-divisions of Part I. are Diplomatic Documents, Administrative Proceedings and Judicial Proceedings. The Local Records comprise county, town and parish records, with public records in local repositories, and archives of statutory authorities and trusts. Descriptive and historical notes are abundantly supplied ; the nature and powers of authorities are carefully set out, and such references giver> for all important statements, as often in them- selves furnish excellent guides to the beginner. No library designed for serious historical study is likely to overlook this valuable work or fail to acquire it. Mtusrn. WILLIAM BLYTH GERISH. WE greatly regret to learn the death of our old correspondent, William Blyth Gerish, which took place on Sunday, Mar. 13 last. He was an archaeologist and topographer of the best type. He loved the work with a genuine devotion, and he was a most conscientious and pains- taking investigator. His conclusions were very accurate although his researches were remarkably extensive ; and his work is of permanent value. Unfortunately, Mr. Gerish was prevented by ill-health from sustained and continuous labour. Illness was not, however, allowed to interfere with his labours, although his work was often done under very trying circumstances, while he was suffering acutely. Indeed, what he accomplished bears witness to heroism as much as to industry and learning. Mr. Gerish was descended from an old East Anglian family ; but for many years he lived in Hertfordshire. By profession, he* was a banker ; and the time spent on his daily journeys to London was devoted to the compilation of those indexes with which his name will always be associated 1 He was responsible for the indexes to a large number of documents and printed books dealing with Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire ; and they are models of exactitude and erudition. He was the author of numerous pamphlets dealing with local history, legends, and biography ; and a frequent contributor to the antiquarian magazines and reviews. His contributions to the local newspapers of Hertfordshire and East Anglia were always popular and interesting. In 1898, he helped to found the East Herts Archaeo- logical Society, of which he was the Honorary Secretary until he retired from active life, in consequence of ill-health. He also inaugurated a feature in The Herts. Mercury, which he called ' East Herts Archaeo logical Notes and Qxieries ' : and later, in collaboration with Mr. Whitford Anderson, he conducted the ' West Herts Notes and Queries ' in The Watford Observer. Many of his articles appeared in The Home Counties Magazine, in The Antiquary, in our own columns, and in the Transactions of the East Herts Archaeo- logical Society. Probably, his most important published work was, ' Sir Henry Chauncy : a Biography ' a life of the Hertfordshire historian. In manuscript, he has left a ' History of Caister,' the place to which he retired in 1915 ; and a ' Handlist of Some Manuscript Indexes of Norfolk and Suffolk Works ' was issued a short time before his death. The original indexes are housed in the public libraries of Great Yarmouth and Norwich. During almost the whole of his life, Mr. Gerish was an indefatigable collector of topographical books, prints, maps, photographs, and newspaper cuttings. His collection, which was in some respects unique, was of great value ; and with characteristic thoroughness, he indexed and arranged it most methodically. It is good to knew that these collections, which were so patiently and lovingly formed, will not be dis- persed : for when he left the county, Mr. Gerish presented his prints, maps, photographs, news- paper cuttings, and manuscript notes relating to Hertfordshire to the public library at St. St. Albans, and he offered to sell his collection of books and pamphlets to the Committee for a nominal sum. The offer was gladly accepted : and this interesting collection is now in safe keeping, and at the disposal pf students. It onsists of more than five hundred books and three hundred pamphlets ; while the prints, maps, photographs, newspaper cuttings, and notes fill more than a hundred cases boxes and portfolios, which were generally spoken of as his " Note Books " by the collector. His death has left a gap in the ranks of the ittle band of scholars which will not be easily filled. tn answering a query, or referring to an article which has already appeared, correspondents ire requested to give within parentheses 'm mediately after the exact heading the numbers >f the series, volume, and page at which the con- ribution in question is to be found. ALL communications intended for insertion in iur columns should bear the name and address o? he sender not necessarily for publication, but as guarantee of good faith.