m 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
The Author of the 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 occur- 
rences as well as antiquities. He is 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, many of 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 re- 
turning his most grateful acknowledgments to the reverend the Presi- 
dent 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, they may 
gratify the curiosity of the antiquary, as well as establish the credit 
of the history. 
If the writer should induce any of his readers to pay a more ready 
attention to the wonders of the Creation, too frequently overlooked as 
