iv PREFACE. 
the correspondents, or others, may have the liberality to contribute 
them gratuitously, as it is hoped may not unfrequently be the 
case. 
Such a form of publication presents the advantage of being open 
not only to original and finished Articles, as the History of an 
entire Parish or Manor, a series of Historical Papers, or an account 
of the Geology, and Botany, &c., of the County at large; but also 
to communications of a less original and elaborate character: as 
for example, extracts from, or abstracts of, rare and expensive 
, Books already published upon Wiltshire; casual notices and de- 
scriptions, however brief, of Antiquities or objects of Natural 
History; accounts of local customs, etymologies of names, or other 
miscellaneous notices upon any of the various subjects embraced 
within the Title of the Society: even to queries on obscure points, 
such as may elicit an answer in some following number. Attention 
is particularly requested to the Rule which forbids the introduction 
of political, or religious discussions. It is hoped that such a work 
may not only be a means of providing popular amusement and 
instruction, but may also serve as a valuable assistant to those who 
may hereafter undertake the more serious task of finishing the 
History of the County. 
The present number will, therefore, be succeeded by others, in 
the same form, and at a low price to the public. The Members 
of the Society will receive their copies gratuitously. The publica- 
tion will be continued, whenever by contributions or correspondence, 
material of sufficient amount and interest shall have accumulated 
to justify the issue. In the infancy of the Society it is impossible 
to give any pledge for its fixed and periodical appearance. But 
it is hoped that communications will flow in abundantly: and 
