5M 
ADYERTISEMENT TO ORIGINAL EDITION. 
The 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 antiquities. 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 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 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 
h 
