ON THE CHARTERS OF CLEEVE ABBEY. 73 
for the first time committed to the press. But if so, I would 
shelter myself under the authority of Dr. Samuel Clarke, 
who, in his admirable preface to the Iliad, has triumphantly 
vindicated such reverent care : “Levia quidem hzc,” he 
says, “et parvi forte, si per se spectentur, momenti. Sed 
ex elementis constant, ex principiis oriuntur, omnia. Et 
ex judicii consuetudine in rebus minutis adhibita, pendet 
s2pissime, etiam in mazximis, vera atque accurata scientia.” 
Should I, however, have wearied any one of my readers, 
I would suggest to him the vital interest of my sub- 
jeet, most dear as it is to the real antiquary, how dis- 
tasteful soever to the general student. If, on the other 
hand, any gentleman should derive balf the pleasure from 
my labour that I have done in searching for the materials 
of this and similar contributions, I am abundantly con- 
tented, and feel sure that he will neither disregard what is 
now offered to his acceptance, nor quarrel with me for 
the length of time that I have presumed to detain him, 
For both of us, with the old dramatist, 
“Do loue these auncient Ruynes: 
We neuer tread vpon them, but we set 
Oure foote vpon some reuerend History. 
And questionles, here in this open Court, 
(Which now lies naked to the iniuries 
Of stormy weather) some men Iye Interr’d, 
Lou’d the Church so well, and gaue so largely to’t, 
They thought it should haue canopide their Bones 
Till Doombes-day : But all things haue their end: 
Churches and Citties, (which haue diseases like to men) 
Must haue like death that we haue.” * 
#* Webster. “ The Dutchesse of Malfy.” Act v., scene iii. 4to. Lond. 1623. 
VOL. vI., 1855, PART IT, RK 
