License to convert Malmsbury Abbey into a Parish Church. 249 
enabling them to pass rapidly through the air; provided with air- 
cells, as an additional assistance to them: endowed with astonishing 
powers of sight, hearing, and smell: possessed of organs of voice 
as varied as they are remarkable; and with many other faculties 
not inferior to these, the feathered tribes claim a high position in 
the scale of created beings. We see in their formation the hand of 
a bountiful Creator; in their endowments the wisdom and goodness 
of Providence displayed. A knowledge of their structure, and an 
insight into the wonderful organs with which they are supplied, 
cannot but raise them in our eyes, as worthy of deeper investigation 
and closer attention than they usually receive; and raise us, at the 
same time, as should be the case after all our researches into the 
page of nature, ‘from nature’s works up to nature’s God.’ 
‘Thus the men 
Whom nature’s works can charm, with God himself 
Hold converse: grow familiar day by day 
With His conceptions; act upon His plan, 
And form to His the relish of their souls.” 
ALFRED CHARLES SMITH. 
Yatesbury Rectory, July, 1854. 
Malmsbury. 
ArcupisHop CRANMER’s LicENSE TO CONVERT THE NAVE OF 
Matmssury Asspey Cuurcy into A Pariso Cuurcu.! 
Thomas, by Divine Mercy Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of 
all England and Metropolitan, being hereunto lawfully authorised 
by the Parliament of England: To all the parishioners of the 
parish church of St. Paul of the town of Malmsbury, in the diocese 
of Sarum, health, grace, and benediction. We willingly regard 
and assist with opportune marks of our favour, those things which 
respect the increase of divine worship, and the convenience of the 
faithful. Whereas you have represented to us that the worthy 
! Copied from the original document by the late William Hughes, Esq., of 
Devizes. [A translation, we presume, from the original document which would 
of course be in Latin]. 
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