The Holy Grahl, Δ. as confessedly "made up of quotations," is an article not suited to G. W.'s "Current Notes."
Admission of Literary Inquirers to the Public Records.
Regulations under which permission will be given to Literary Inquirers to make searches among the Public Records, without payment of fees, contained in a letter addressed by the Right Honourable Sir John Romilly, Master of the Rolls to Sir Francis Palgrave, K.H., the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records: dated at the Rolls House, 4th December, 1851:—
1st. That the individuals seeking to avail themselves of the permission shall address a letter to the Deputy Keeper, stating generally their objects of research, so as to show that the applications are really and bonâ fide for literary purposes, and that the applicant shall also attend the Deputy Keeper personally thereon, and give such further explanation as may be required; and that thereupon the Deputy Keeper shall, if he be satisfied with the statement and explanation, authorise the Assistant Keepers to allow the applicant to inspect such Indexes of Records, and also such Original Records, and to make such copies or extracts in pencil required by the applicant as the Deputy Keeper may think advisable.
This mode of proceeding, which is equally required for the security of the Records, and for the protection of the business searchers, will in fact be beneficial to Literary Inquirers; for the more fully they explain their objects, the better will the Deputy Keeper and the other officers be able to direct them to the documents which may be useful to them.
2ndly. That all the applications before mentioned be entered in a book, and be reported to the Master of the Rolls.
3rdly. That a book be kept at each branch office, in which the Assistant Keeper shall enter a note or particular of the Rolls, Records, Books, or Documents, called for, inspected, or used by the applicant, nearly in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is practised with respect to Manuscripts in the British Museum.
But this book is to be considered as confidential, and not to be shown to the public without express permission of the Master of the Rolls or Deputy Keeper.
4thly. That, in case of any impropriety or abuse of the privilege, the Assistant Keepers do forthwith report the same to the Deputy Keeper, in order that he may bring the same before the Master of the Rolls.