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Under the Direction of the Departments of History, Political Economy,and Political Science
SEDLEY LYNCH WARE, A.B., LL.B.
Fellow in History.
July-August, 1908
These chapters are but part of a larger work on the Elizabethan parishdesigned to cover all the aspects of parish government. There is needof a comprehensive study of the parish institutions of this period,owing to the fact that no modern work exists that in any thorough waypretends to discuss the subject. The work of Toulmin Smith was writtento defend a theory, while the recent history of Mr. and Mrs. Webbdeals in the main with the parish subsequent to the year 1688. Thematerial already in print for such a study is very voluminous, theaccumulation of texts having progressed more rapidly than the use ofthem by scholars.
My subject was suggested to me by Professor Vincent, to whom as wellas to Professor Andrews I am indebted for advice and assistancethroughout this work. In England I have to thank Messrs. Sidney Webb,Hubert Hall and George Unwin, of the London School of Economics, forreading manuscript and suggesting improvements. For similar help andfor reference to new material my acknowledgments are due to Mr. C.H.Firth, Regius Professor of Modern History, Oxford, and to Mr. C.R.L.Fletcher, of Magdalen College. At the British Museum I found theofficials most courteous, while the librarians of the PeabodyInstitute, Baltimore, have given me every aid in their power.