ANGLO-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF HISTORIANS. 185
British Museum in Bloomsbury. About six hundred members
joined the Conference. The Agenda consisted of papers and
discussions relating to History arranged in eight Sections, and
every delegate was entitled to attend any Section, but as they
all met at the same time a delegate had to choose one of the
following:—Medieval History, Diplomatic, Economic, Colonial,
Local, Slavonic, the History of Parliamentary Institutions, and
one dealing especially with the Historical Relations between
Europe and America. Having been inspired by an interesting
paper with lantern pictures by our Hon. Secretary some time
ago, I selected to attend the Local History Section. Enter-
tainments and visits to interesting places were also provided.
I attended the opening Reception at Lancaster House, where
the members were officially received by the Minister of Educa-
tion, the Right Hon. Oliver F. G. Stanley. As a member I
also visited on July 9th the Albert and King George V Docks
at the invitation of the Port of London Authorities, and although
the afternoon was one of drenching rain no one seemed to
complain. Facilities were also afforded to view the Archives
of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Record
Office, and the historical manuscripts in the British Museum.
I applied, but I was not lucky at the ballot. These facilities
were greatly appreciated by overseas and other members. In
addition there were numerous excursions such as are generally
arranged for sightseers who attend Conferences. I am not
able to furnish personal experience of these excursions, but
they were reported to be much enjoyed.
The Secretary of the Institute of Historical Research, Mr. G.
Parsloe (with the assistance of Miss Margery Fletcher) acted
as Secretary to the Conference and much credit is due
to him for efficiency and courtesy.
The Conference was opened by the former Lord Chancellor,
Lord Sankey, who delivered an address in the afternoon of the
first day, July 6th, entitled "The Historian and the Lawyer,
their aims and their methods." Lord Sankey said that both the
historian and the lawyer were engaged in the investigation of
facts, the historian to establish the truth of his narrative, the
lawyer to establish the truth and the justice of his client's case.
Both must collect evidence and establish the facts, but the first
and most importan duty in regard to this work was Research,