OF SELBORNE. 459 



lineation of the morals and manners of the canons of Sel- 

 borne at that juncture : and that what he found they had 

 omitted he enjoins them; and for what they have done 

 amiss, and contrary to their rules and statutes, he reproves 

 them; and threatens them with punishment suitable to their 

 irregularities. 



This visitatio is of considerable length, and cannot be 

 introduced into the body of this work ; l we shall therefore 

 take some notice, and make some remarks, on the most 

 singular items as they occur. 



In the preamble the visitor says " Considering the 

 charge lying upon us, that your blood may not be required 

 at our hands, we caine down to visit your Priory, as our 

 office required : and every time we repeated our visitation 

 we found something still not only contrary to regular rules 

 but also repugnant to religion and good reputation." 



In the first article after the preamble "he commands 

 them on their obedience, and on pain of the greater excom- 

 munication, to see that the canonical hours by night and by 

 day be sung in their choir, and the masses of the Blessed 

 Mary, and other accustomed masses, be celebrated at the 

 proper hours with devotion, and at moderate pauses ; and 

 that it be not allowed to any to absent themselves from the 

 hours and masses, or to withdraw before they are finished." 



Item 2d. He enjoins them to observe that silence to 

 which they are so strictly bound by the rule of St. Au- 

 gustine at stated times, and wholly to abstain from frivolous 

 conversation. 



[Item 3rd. That whereas, although in health, they have 

 many times neglected the celebration of masses, and have 

 thereby defrauded the souls of the founders and other 

 benefactors; he enjoins them to confess frequently, and 

 devoutly to celebrate mass, as well for the living as the 



1 It was printed entire in an Appendix to the first edition : but as 

 the principal items have been abstracted in the text by Gilbert White 

 and as the heads of the remaining items are now given [between 

 brackets] by the editor, it has been judged unnecessary to reprint here, 

 verbatim, an article of such considerable length. ED. 



