DESCRIPTION OF THE MANUSCRIPTS : NOTES, ETC. 



corrections and additions made in it by Aubrey. A list of the chapters is prefixed to each volume, 

 whence it appears that Aubrey had intended to include some observations on " Prices of Come," 

 " Weights and Measures," " Antiquities and Comes," and " Forests, Parks, and Chaces." Most 

 of these topics are adverted to under other heads, but the author never carried out his intention 

 by forming them into separate chapters. Besides wanting the " Fatalities of Families and Places," 

 taken out by the author in 1696, as already stated, the Oxford manuscript is deficient also in the 

 chapters on " Architecture," " Accidents," and " Seates." So far therefore as Aubrey's own labours 

 are concerned, the Royal Society's copy is the most perfect ; but the notes of Ray, Evelyn, and 

 Tanner were written upon the Oxford manuscript after the fair copy was made, and have never been 

 transcribed into the latter. The Royal Society's manuscript is entirely in Aubrey's own hand, and 

 is very neatly and carefully written, being in that respect, as well as in its completeness, much 

 superior to the original. Of the latter it appears to have been an exact transcript ; but it wants 

 some of the rude sketches and diagrams with which the original is illustrated. The two parts form 

 only one volume, demy folio, which is paged consecutively from 1 to 373, and is bound in modern 

 Russia leather. 



As already stated, a copy of the entire work was made for the purposes of this publication from 

 the Royal Society's volume. The ownership of this copy has since been transferred to George 

 Poulett Scrope, Esq. M.P., of Castle Combe, who has had it collated with the Oxford manuscript, 

 thus making it unique. 



Every care has been taken to preserve the strictest accuracy in the extracts now published, and 

 with that view, as well as to correspond with such of Aubrey's works as have been already printed, 

 the original orthography has been retained. The order and arrangement of the chapters, and their 

 division into two parts, are also adhered to. At the commencement of each chapter I have indicated 

 the nature of the passages which are omitted in the present volume, and although such omissions are 

 numerous, it may be stated that all the essential and useful portions of the work are either here 

 printed, or so referred to as to render them easily accessible in future to the scientific student, the 

 antiquary, and the topographer. 



With respect to the Notes which I have added, as Editor of the present volume, in correction or 

 illustration of Aubrey's observations, I am alone responsible.* It would have been easy to have 

 increased their number; for every page of the original text is full of matter suggestive of 

 reflection and comment. I am aware that a more familiar acquaintance with the present condition 

 of Wiltshire would have facilitated my task, and added greatly to the importance of these notes. 

 On this point indeed I might quote the remarks of Aubrey in his preface, for they apply with equal 

 force to myself; and, like him, I cannot but regret that no "ingeniouse and publique-spirited young 

 Wiltshire man " has undertaken the task which I have thus imperfectly performed. 



In closing this address, and also in taking leave of the county of Wilts, as regards my literary 

 connection with it, I feel it to be at once a duty and a pleasure to record my acknowledgments and 

 thanks to those persons who have kindly aided me on the present occasion. When I commenced 

 this undertaking I did not anticipate the labour it would involve me in, and the consequent time it 

 would demand, or I must have declined the task ; for I have been compelled to neglect a superior 

 obligation which I owe to a host of kind and generous friends who have thought proper to pay me 

 and literature a compliment in my old age, by subscribing a large sum of money as a PUBLIC TES- 



* These are enclosed within brackets [thus], and bear the initials J. B. Some of the less important are marked by brackets only. 



