ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST 

 EDITION. 



HE 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 consist 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 Selbornc. To that gentleman also, and his 

 assistant, 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 carefully 



