QUARTERLYBULLETIN 11 upon them. Countless numbers of these manuscripts as well as early newspapers are in need of restoration by the silking process before they are bound in volumes or filed in boxes. In a few depositories the part-time services of one or two people are given to this work, but on the whole, documents lie neglected for lack of funds to put them in proper condition. In some public depositories sufficient interest to give them proper shelving is even ■ lacking. It is strange that in a land of great wealth no support has been forthcoming for this important work. It has remained for a few interested persons, mostly librarians and archivists, to do ,what they could to preserve the records of this country, whether public documents or private papers. Historical societies could become invaluable depositories if they had adequate funds. Every day records are burned or thrown away which might be saved if historical societies could afford to employ field agents to seek them out and ask for them. Only the student of history fully appreciates the records of the past. The Williamsburg restoration, or, in fact, any restoration or depicting of our nation's past life, could not be accomplished without the help which a study of these records gives. Yet with all the philanthropic foundations now functioning, the historical societies of the land are allowed to continue a niggardly existence, understaffed and with their valuable material poorly cared for. With demands upon them which can be only partially met, they struggle on trying to fulfill their important mission as best they can. It is time to recognize the value of the historical records of this country, both in public and private depositories, by inaugurating a systematic restoration and preservation program, to be carried out either in the respective depositories or by central boards which will work in harmony with the custodians of the records. If the history of this great land is to be preserved, such a step should be taken at once. A. J. Wall. 1*