ADVERTISEMENT. 



THE Author of the following Letters takes the liberty, 

 with all proper deference, of laying before the Public his 

 idea of parochial history, which, he thinks, ought to con- 

 sist of natural productions and occurrences as well as anti- 

 quities. He is also of opinion that if stationary men would 

 pay some attention to the districts on which they reside, 

 and would publish their thoughts respecting the objects 

 that surround them, from such materials might be drawn 

 the most complete county-histories, which are still wanting 

 in several parts of this kingdom, and in particular in the 

 county of Southampton. 



And here he seizes the first opportunity, though a late 

 one, of returning his most grateful acknowledgments to the 

 reverend the President and the reverend and worthy the 

 Fellows of Magdalen College, in the University of Oxford, 

 for their liberal behaviour in permitting their archives to 

 be searched by a member of their own society, so far as the 

 evidences therein contained might respect the parish and 

 priory of Selborne. To that gentleman also, and his as- 

 sistant, whose labours and attention could only be equalled 

 by the very kind manner in which they were bestowed, 

 many and great obligations are also due. 



Of the authenticity of the documents above-mentioned 

 there can be no doubt, since they consist of the identical 

 deeds and records that were removed to the College from 

 the Priory at the time of its dissolution ; and, being care- 



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