ADVERTISEMENT, 
■copied on the spot, may be depended on as genuine ; and, 
never having been made public before, may gratify the 
curiosity of the 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 occur- 
rences ; 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 Provi- 
dence, contributed to aiuch 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 con- 
tinuation of them, would they ever be deemed a matter of 
•singular satisfaction and improvement. 
Selborne, 
J"anuarj 1st, 1783. 
