xxvi PREFACE. 



gence of research, or the severest exercise of judgment, cannot 

 possibly guard against. The candid reader will readily enter into 

 the feelings of the Publisher, when he confesses, that, after the 

 lapse of two years, almost exclusively devoted to the production 

 of his County History, and during which time he has encountered 

 many unexpected and formidable difficulties, he is fearful of having 

 led his Subscribers and the Public to form too sanguine expecta- 

 tions of his book, and which all his exertions have not been able to 

 realize. He, however, throws himself upon their indulgence. If 

 even the negative merit of industry be conceded, he must feel 

 himself more than rewarded ; but if his book should fall under the 

 lash of a too rigid censor, he will submissively kiss the rod. 

 Newcastle-under-Lyme, March 10, 1817. 



