66 On Paroch ial Histories. 
she was a descendant of one of the lairds of Chisholm.” This 
occurs first in “The Old Statistical,” but the suggestion appeared 
so valuable, and probably so gratifying to the clan, that it has been 
repeated by the more recent topographer. The same reverend 
gentleman may be excused for quoting the foundation charter of 
the Priory of Beaulieu 1230, as confirmed by Pope Gregory III. 
who lived in the 8th century. 
Another describes the choir of a church as that part “in which 
some special rites of the Church of Rome were performed.” A 
Font is said to be ‘a large circular basin of freestone, used as the 
depository of holy water in times of Popery.” We happily have 
not that narrow-minded contempt for church learning, which would 
cause us to fall into these little errors. 
We are not wanting in successful examples of parochial histories 
by members of our own body. Dr. Kennett’s “Parochial Antiquities 
of Ambrosden and Burcester”’ is a classical work. It is not indeed 
necessary or desirable that we should each of us compile two quarto 
volumes, nor perhaps that we should read all that Dr. Kennett has 
written; but if any want a vindication of these pursuits, and of the 
propriety of the Clergy’s joining in them, he may be referred to Dr. 
Kennett’s preface, in which he attacks those “‘idle, witty people, who 
think all history to be scraps, and all antiquity rust and rubbish. I 
say only this,” and he speaks with authority, for he was afterwards 
Bishop of Peterborough, “next to the immediate discharge of my 
holy office, I know not how in any course of studies I could better have 
served my patron, my people, and my successors, than by preserving 
the memoirs of this parish and the adjacent parts, which before lay 
remote from common notice, and in a few years had been buried 
in unsearchable oblivion. If the present age be too much immersed 
in cares and pleasures to take any relish, or to make any use of 
these discoveries, I then appeal to posterity, for I believe the time 
will come, when persons of better inclination will arise, who will 
be glad to find any collection of this nature, and will be ready to 
supply the defects and carry on the continuation of it. Men would 
delight to read any account of former ages, if they could themselves 
hope to make any good figure in future story.” He appeals also 
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