viii ADVERTISEMENT TO ORIGINAL EDITION. 



and records that were removed to the.College from the Priory at 

 the time of its dissolution ; and, being carefully copied on the 

 spot, may be depended on as genuine; and never having 

 made public before, may gratify the curiosity of the keen 

 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 enlargement 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 knowledge of a 

 circle of gentlemen whose intelligent communications, as they 

 have afforded him much pleasing information, so, could he 

 flatter himself with a .continuation of them, would they ever be 

 deemed a matter of singular satisfaction and improvement. 



SELBORNE, 

 January ist, 1788. 



