Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/19

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INTRODUCTION.
5

such objects entrusted to their care, but of encouraging their efforts, and giving aid in carrying them into effect. It is proposed to give in this Journal summary and familiar suggestions or instructions on every department of research, so as to direct the enquiries of correspondents, and explain to those, who may be uninitiated in such matters, the practical means whereby their researches may be carried forward in a manner most agreeable to themselves, and most available for the common object. The best publications, in which more extended information may be found, will be pointed out, and notices of all new works on Antiquities published at home or on the Continent, or announced for publication, will be regularly given. Long and elaborate dissertations, or detailed descriptions of monuments, requiring numerous illustrations, will not properly find a place in a journal of unpretending character and moderate price. Such communications addressed to the Society of Antiquaries, through the medium of any member of its body, will always be acceptable, and received with due attention; and it may be further observed that the Society is accustomed to allot to the author of any communication considered by the Council deserving to be printed in the Archæologia, a certain number of copies. From time to time, however, the Journal will present illustrated descriptions, exhibiting characteristic specimens of camps or primeval works, roads, edifices, sacred, military, or domestic, and antiquities of every kind, so as to supply general observations in a more instructive manner, and models for the preparation of illustrated descriptions of similar monuments. Whenever any structure may unavoidably be condemned to demolition, it is recommended that a proper description, with plans and drawings, should be carefully prepared; but as these descriptions may be too extended to allow of their publication in full, such an abstract, as may properly be brought within the scope of the Quarterly Journal, will be given, and the originals preserved for reference, or subsequent use. Documentary evidences, charters, inventories, or wills, may be made available with explanatory comments, when they illustrate things substantial, by supplying either facts, such as the date of a structure, the expenses incurred in its construction, or details connected with costume, heraldry or decoration, and so forth. But such evidences bearing solely on local or genealogical history,