THE VICTORIA HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—With reference to the letter of Mrs. Cope in regard to the editorship of these volumes may I be allowed to say that the most important name has been omitted, viz., that of Mr. William Page, F.S.A., the General Editor of the Victoria I County Histories of England ? It is entirely through his energy and perseverance that the Berkshire volumes have, been completed. The Great War dealt a cruel blow to the whole scheme. At its outbreak the histories of some ten counties were nearly ready for publication, several of which were in type, and amongst these Berkshire, two volumes of which had already been published. The War immediately caused a complete cessation of all the work. Through Mr. Page's energy this has now been revived, and volumes HI.. and IV., dealing with the topography of Berkshire, are the first product thereof. It is a great satisfaction to all lovers of the: Royal County that, with the exception of the Index volume, the history has been completed. From the commencement of the undertaking I had the pleasure of being associated with Mr. Page as joint editor of the volumes, and in the topographi- cal section (Volumes III. and IV.) we were very glad to have the assistance of my friend, Mr. John Hauntenville Cope, whose local knowledge was valuable. The title page reads, " Edited by William Page, F.SA., and the Rev. P. H. Ditch.. field, MA., F.S.A., assisted by John Hauntenville Cope."— I am, Sir, &e.,
P. H. DITCIIFIELD.
Barkham Rectory, Wokingham, Berks.
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