quoting in each case from Bourne (1725), Brand (1777), Ellis's Brand (1813), Bohn's Antiquarian Library (1848).
4. Give general Chapter on various Calendars, and on the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar: Explanation of the "New Style" by Act of Parliament 1752, when eleven days were to be left out after 2nd September. 1752, Certain anniversaries retained on the old dates, while the majority were changed.
5. Prefix an account of the month itself to the festivals occurring in each month.
6. Treat the various countries comprised in the United Kingdom separately in order under each festival.
7. Begin with a concise account precis, or summary, of each custom, and add selected examples or descriptions in chronological order, quoting authorities verbatim with references.
8. Add foreign parallels, if any, at the end of the United Kingdom evidence, in each case.[1]
9. Be very chary of putting forth theories, however plausible.
10. Mention the erroneous and untenable theories of previous editions briefly, but do not omit them altogether, or you will give future students the trouble of hunting up and refuting them again."
The material gathered now consists of gleanings from over 900 books, counting every "series" as a single "book." A set of Fenland Notes and Queries (mentioned in last year's report as a desideratum) is still to seek, but through
- ↑ The Committee has accepted this only as referring to Ellis's foreign parallels.
