Hertfordshire Place-names

If one were asked to indicate the best contemporary products of English research in the field of historical studies, using the term ‘historical’ to include also archaeology, one would certainly put the publications of the English Place-name Society near the top of the list. It is characteristic of English methods that so much of our best work in these subjects should be subsidized by voluntary contributions; for though the EPNS receives a small annual grant from the British Academy, the greater part of its work is unpaid, and the most expensive item, the annual volume, is entirely paid for by the subscribers. One can think of half a dozen other comparable undertakings, all organized on a voluntary basis. This state of affairs cannot logically, however, be used as an argument against the State endowment of research (though it sometimes is so used), because it cannot be proved that, if thus endowed, work of this kind would be done less well. Indeed, to those who know the individuals responsible, the mere suggestion is fantastic and absurd. One has only to refer to the Reports of the Royal Commissions on Ancient Monuments (particularly those for England) which are wholly subsidized by the State, to see that the work of government officials is not necessarily or always bad; and other instances may occur to our readers.