Editorial

IT has been said that there is less county pride in Essex than probably in any other British county. This is, perhaps, correct with respect to the metropolitan portion, but in the county generally is certainly more apparent than real. Recent legislative changes, and those in contemplation, must and will continue to bind Essex men more closely together, and so increase their already strong and growing, if sentimental, patriotism.

Essex is peculiarly rich in local and personal associations, historical recollections and antiquities, social ties and history; though these may not have been so well elucidated, or the traditions so commonly observed and recorded, as in some other counties.

The object of the ESSEX REVIEW is to gather up into one publication all matters of permanent interest relating to the prosperity, history and literature of our county. Its aim is to be an instructive, interesting, accurate, and convenient record of facts collected into a concise but comprehensive form from the multitude of sources of information which now exist. Many of these facts might otherwise wander down the stream of time and perish in oblivion. We seek to conserve all materials for county history, the value of which is so well appreciated, but which are so difficult to obtain, even by diligent students in their special subjects. Such a magazine as that now contemplated should be capable of preserving and illustrating much material of present and future importance to all interested in the past and present history of the county and its most notable or distinguished inhabitants.

The want of such a county record must have been often felt, and it has not hitherto been satisfied, though the many local newspapers, and the various journals or magazines of a cosmopolitan or special nature, contain much about the statistics, history, arts, agriculture, commerce, manufactures, literature, and even topography and biography of the county. In our special articles, notes and memoranda, we hope to refer to everything of permanent interest contained therein, though by no means to attempt a summary of their contents. To notice all books, pamphlets, official reports, parliamentary papers, &c., exclusively or partially referring to Essex --- in short, all articles of local interest appearing in the constantly-increasing periodical literature of the English-speaking world --- and to furnish an obituary of all distinguished persons connected with, or native of, the county, which alone would be work of high utility; and this forms but part of our programme.

It is astonishing how little provincial intelligence finds its way into the leading London dailies, or the weekly and illustrated newspapers. Our Quarterly summary of local events should, therefore, prove interesting to all non-resident Essex men, besides serving generally as a record of contemporary history. It will be our endeavour to keep this section entirely free from all spirit of party, sect, or faction. For other papers or notes, the respective authors will be responsible, all undesirable controversial matters being excluded as far as possible.

With this wide programme, it is our intention to leave the many discoveries still to be made in antiquarian matters to the Essex Archæological Society, and the tracing out of the Natural History of the county to the Essex Field Club and kindred societies. Their aims are sufficiently distinct from ours. Similarly, the course of The East Anglian need in no way be interfered with.

Essex with its 987,632 acres, its 761,172 population, and its £3,421,180 rateable value, is large enough, populous enough, and rich enough to support such a publication as is now launched. We appeal with confidence for the active co-operation and assistance of all interested in the past history or the present welfare and prosperity of Essex, and are sure that the literary reputation of the county will not suffer at our hands.

The ESSEX REVIEW is published at a price within the means of all who are likely to take an intelligent interest in local life, history, antiquities, or literature. We invite all such to become subscribers, and to give our new venture a warm welcome; all such to contribute of their store of information everything worthy of permanent preservation in our pages. Items that seem small and insignificant in themselves may often serve to fill up gaps in evidence that have hitherto baffled all research. As has been well said, the printing press has made all knowledge cumulative.

We may add that the doorway figured on our wrapper is that of South Ockendon Church.

Though we give our subscribers 16 pages more than was promised in our prospectus, we are reluctantly compelled to hold back several valuable articles, and notices of nearly thirty books by Essex authors.