VI ADVERTISEMENT. 



fully copied on the spot, may be depended on as genuine ; 

 and, never having been made public before, may gratify 

 the curiosity of the antiquary, as well as establish the 

 credit of the history. 



If the writer should at all appear to have induced any of 

 his readers to pay a more ready attention to the wonders 

 of the Creation, too frequently overlooked as common 

 occurrences; or if he should by any means, through his 

 researches, have lent an helping hand towards the enlarge- 

 ment of the boundaries of historical and topographical 

 knowledge ; or if he should have thrown some small light 

 upon ancient customs and manners, and especially on those 

 that were monastic; his purpose will be fully answered. 

 But if he should not have been successful in any of these 

 his intentions, yet there remains this consolation behind 

 that these his pursuits, by keeping the body and mind 

 employed, have, under Providence, contributed to much 

 health and cheerfulness of spirits, even to old age : and, 

 what still adds to his happiness, have led him to the know- 

 ledge of a circle of gentlemen whose intelligent communi- 

 cations, as they have afforded him much pleasing infor- 

 mation, so, could he flatter himself with a continuation of 

 them, would they ever be deemed a matter of singular 

 satisfaction and improvement. 



SKLBORNE, 

 Jan. 1st, 1788. 



