arranged, and managed, and that the attainment of that object is now urgently and most justly demanded, and not difficult to accomplish, their Lordships must excuse me for saying that the adoption of an improved system which, notwithstanding the improvements, unnecessarily continues some of the principal defects in the old system, cannot be satisfactory to any reasonable mind.

3. I also concur with their Lordships in the opinion that deficiency of room is an evil which, from the rapid increase of Records, cannot, under any arrangement, ultimately be avoided. But admitting that no arrangement which can be now made will prevent a deficiency of room for ever, their Lordships can hardly expect me to consider this as a sufficient reason for making no provision against deficiency of room for any time whatever, or as an available reason for making a repository, known to be defective even from its inception, or for making two or several repositories instead of one.

I cannot omit this occasion of stating that, in my humble opinion, the subject has not even yet been sufficiently considered; but I am perfectly aware that if their Lordships have finally determined what to do, or what to omit in this matter, I can have no hope, by any influence of mine, or by any reasons which I can offer, to induce them to bestow any further attention on the subject. I shall avail myself of such means as I may possess to relieve myself from the responsibility which I think will justly attach to those who, having the means and opportunity of securing a good system, do not hesitate to adopt a system manifestly defective, although

it may be (as I think it is) much better than the bad system which has hitherto existed.

Their Lordships seem to think that I have little, if anything, to do with the matter.

They seem entirely to forget that upon the Master of the Rolls for the time being will fall the task and the responsibility of arranging the Records for future times in the repository which may be provided.

The delays which have already taken place, and which seem likely to continue, will most probably cast this duty upon my successor, so that any hope which I might have entertained of being able to perform the duty myself, ought to be, as in fact it is, entirely removed from my consideration.

But when the site and nature of the repository are settled, it will become an important duty, the performance of which should be immediately commenced, to make all the preparations which circumstances allow, to render the repository available as soon as it is ready, and to do everything practicable to diminish all the inconveniences which can, by proper arrangements, be guarded against. This duty it must be my endeavour to perform to the utmost extent which the means afforded me will allow.

I cannot conceal from myself that their Lordships, whilst they observe the official forms of communication, do not desire any co-operation with me. My opinions are formed with reference to my only objects, the due preservation, arrangement, and use of the Records, and upon such information as I have been able to acquire in the consideration of these only objects; and, founding

myself upon that information, I am of opinion that the Victoria Tower will not suffice, that is, will not be sufficient to provide for the Government and for the public all the advantages which ought to be secured by the proper arrangement, preservation, and management of the Records; and as the suggestion of their Lordships is expressed to be contingent upon my opinion as to the sufficiency of the Tower, I should, notwithstanding the general objections to which I have referred, have now proceeded to consider in what manner the separation of the Records into classes, with a view to place separate classes in separate buildings, could be made with the least practical inconvenience. But as their Lordships have not desired, and do not appear to expect me to give any attention to the subject, I presume that they have formed and have already resolved to adopt some plan of their own; and I await the information which will be necessary to enable me to conform to their Lordships' determination, in the directions which I may have to give for the intermediate management of the Records, and the preparation of them for their final place of deposit.

And with respect to the arrangement and fitting up of the repositories which their Lordships may think fit to provide, I presume to think that some communication ought to take place between the architect and the Record Office; and I request their Lordships to give such directions as to them may seem proper for that purpose. I have, &c.,

LANGDALE."

In reply to this letter, Sir Charles (then Mr.) Trevelyan, on the 27th of August, 1845, regrets Lord Langdale's objections to the Victoria Tower, and expresses the desire of the Lords of the Treasury to cooperate with his Lordship in all Record matters; but they preferred the Victoria Tower on account of the great expense of erecting another repository; they disclaim every feeling not consistent with the most perfect respect for his Lordship; they sensibly feel the value of his Lordship's superior knowledge on Record subjects, and are thankful for the attention which, among his other numerous avocations, he has bestowed on them.

CHAPTER XII.

FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.-A NEW BUILDING AT LAST DETERMINED ON.-COMMENCED.-LORD LANGDALE'S RETIREMENT.-ADDRESS OF THE RECORD-KEEPERS.

ON the 22nd of August, 1846, Lord Langdale addressed Sir George Grey, then Secretary of State for the Home Department, on the subject of a General Record Office, in consequence of a motion in the House of Commons by Mr. Protheroe (formerly one of the Record Commissioners), for the production of the correspondence between the Master of the Rolls and Sir Robert Peel, in 1845; the letter is as follows:

"MY DEAR SIR GEORGE,

Roehampton, August 22nd, 1846.

“It was not my intention to trouble you on the subject of the public Records till you were relieved from the extraordinary pressure of business towards the end of the session; but finding from the votes of the House of Commons that a production of my correspondence with Sir Robert Peel during the year 1845 has been ordered, and observing the motion of which Mr. Protheroe has given notice for the 25th instant, I hope you will excuse me for requesting your early and favourable