ON THE CHARTERS OF CLEEVE ABBEY. 17 
On the Churters amd ather Archtues 
of Gleene Shen. 
BY THE REV. THOMAS HUGO, M.A., F.S.A., F.L.S., 
F.R.S.L., ETC.; HON. MEMBER. 
AM painfully sensible that the subject on which I 
have to solieit your attention is of necessity so deeply 
covered with the dust of ages as to be disregarded by 
many, and repulsive to more. The examination of ancient 
Records is a branch of arch&ology which none but pro- 
fessed antiquaries are accustomed to cultivate as its im- 
portance demands or as its interest deserves. Many causes, 
doubtless, concur to bring about this result. Our ancient 
Records are presented to us in characters strange and obso- 
lete—are not only unintelligible, but altogether illegible, by 
any save an initiated eye, and, whether in Latin or in 
English, häve little in common with the classical aspect of 
the former language, or the prevailing dialect of our own 
age. And yet I need not say, in the presence of such an 
auditory as I have now the honour of addressing, that on 
the knowledge with which ancient Records furnish us, 
VOL. vI., 1855, PART II, © 
