ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST 
EDITION. 
HE author of tlie 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 tliia 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 Selborne. 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 
