3o6 Account of an ancient Monument ^ ^c. 



becaufe I am inclined to be of the latter opinion ; 

 I apprehend that the title of founder of the mon- 

 aftery could only belong to William de Vefcy. 

 It is well known that the tombs of founders and 

 benefadtors of religious edifices were generally 

 placed near the altar ; and nobody could fay to a 

 Norman Baron, immemor Jepulchri Jlruis domos. 



So much of the monument of William de 

 Vefcy. — A vindication of this little difquifition 

 may appear neceffary to thofe who condemn the 

 ftudy of antiquities, as ufelefs or uncertain. But 

 I have ever thought, that purfuits, which add 

 to the innocent happinefs of life, are too rcfpeft- 

 able to require defence. A knowledge of anti- 

 quities implies labour and erudition, and I do 

 not know that it difpofes either to vice or folly. 

 The charge of uncertainty can never be brought 

 againft this kind of knowledge, without recoil- 

 ing on all fyftems; and a true philofopher will 

 beware of under-valuing any refearches into hu- 

 man life i efpecially fuch as intereft our nature 

 fo ftrongly, as thofe of the antiquarian. For . 

 every one muft feel, in fome degree, on furvey- 

 ino- the works of former ages, thofe fentiments, 

 fo well expreffed in that exquifite paflage, which 

 Mr. Grofe has felefted, as the motto of his 

 Englilh antiquities ; 



I do love thefe ancient ruins ; 

 We never tread upon them but we fet 

 Our foot upon fome reverend hiftory. 



And 



