History of corn milling .. - Centrostudirpinia.it

PREFACE ix
he commissioned the present writer to compile a record
of the kind. From so small and local a starting-point
eventually originated, under his enterprising auspices, this
entire History. In the earliest investigations undertaken
with respect to Liverpool, the mystery surrounding soke
soon fascinated his practical mind ; and the lack of any
work relating to the existence and incidence of so curious
a monopoly struck him as an absolute hiatus in the practical
knowledge of the day. Similarly, the use of early handstones
and the origin and development of power mills
absorbed his interest ; and here again a vast dearth of
information was only too evident. On all these topics, in
fact, the only authorities of moment were writers whose
Latin treatises, crude and imperfect, were long since
obsolete.*
proceeded,
It was thus only step by step, as investigation
that the project of this History was decided
upon.
The necessary researches and literary compilation of
the work being entrusted to the writer, Mr. Bennett, in the
hearty, thoroughgoing manner that characterised all his
doings, concerned himself with the practical side of the
undertaking. No trouble, no limit of time, no expense
deterred him from the task, or ever prevented him
adopting any suggestion tending to extend enquiry or
facilitate full study of the subject.
While investigations were in progress it became clear
that, as regarded early extinct handstones, a perfect know-
ledge of their nature and method of working could only
be secured by the actual handling and working of the stones
themselves. Mr. Bennett therefore resolved to collect
specimens ; and possible sources whence they might be
acquired being gradually ascertained, he systematically and,
almost as though the affair were a matter of momentous
business, followed with the utmost assiduity every clue to the
desired relics. His persistent efforts in this direction were
in time rewarded by the possession of a collection that in
extent, variety, and representative character was, and, so far
as can be traced, still is, unrivalled. About a hundred
* De Molindis,]. Heringius, Lyons, 1663. De MoUs Manualibus Vetertim^ G. G.
Hoheisel, Dantzic, 1728. De Pistrinis Veterum, F. Goetzius, Venice, 1730. De
Molarum Initiis : De Molarnm Progressibus, G. H. Ayrer, Gottingen, 1772.