C z6i y 
3n the main. By which means, the Undertakers of Pa^ 
rcchial Afttiquities in other Parts of En^and^ comparing 
the Conftitutions of the feveral Places they are to treat 
of, with what our Author has obferv'd within Hi$ 
Province ; are led to the Reafons and Originals of a 
great many things, which alight either have wholly 
elcaped their Notice, or not have been fo exadly un- 
derftoodj or at beft, have coft them infinitely more 
Pains in the fearch. And 'tis pity, that all the parts. 
o£ £»g/W fliould not be lUuftrated by fo many De-- 
figns of this nature. If that were once begun, we 
might hope for an exaft knowledge, as well of the. 
Antiquities^ as of the Civil-Conftitution of the King- 
dom. For thofe who live in the refpedlive places, 
and have daily opportunities of making their own Ob* 
fervations, and of picking up theRemains of Antiquity, 
with the Traditional Accounts about them ; are the only 
Men that can furnifli us with exadt Accounts of the Bri^ 
tijh\ Roman ^ Saxon, and Danijh Antiquities. And I: 
doubt not, but there are feveral Footfteps of our old 
Laws and Cufloms, ft ill to be found in many parts of 
England ; which (if they were once made known to ^ 
the World) would give us a good infight into our an- 
cient Government and Conftitutions. But befides thefe. 
advantages, there are fome others, which (methinks) 
Ihould induce the Gentry to Encourage^ and the Pa- 
rochial Clergy to purfue Undertakings of this kind. 
I. For the Gentry : It muft needs be.a pleafint piece 
of Entertainment to them, to underftand the Hiftory 
of their own Eftates ; and it is alfo a decent refpeft to 
the memory of their Anceftors, to inform themfelves . 
by whofe care it was, that fuch fair Inheritances have 
been handed down to them ; to know, by whofe Pru- 
dence their Eftates have grown, and by whofe Courage 
^nd Cbndudl their Families have been adorn'd. Cicsro 
.(fi 
