OF SELBORNE, 
339 
This Jo. de Venur was a man of property at Oakhanger, and lived 
probably at the fpot now called Chapel-farm. The grant bears date 
the 17th year of the reign of Henry III. {yi'z.. 1233.] 
It would be tedious to enumerate every little grant for lands or 
tenements that might be produced from my vouchers. I fliall 
therefore pafs over all fuch for the prefent, and conclude this let- 
ter with a remark that muft ftrike every thinking perfon with 
fome degree of wonder. No fooner had a monaftic inftitution 
got a footing, but the neighbourhood began to be touched with 
a fecret and religious awe. Every perfon round was defirous to 
promote fo good a work ; and either by fale, by grant, or by gift 
in reverfion, was ambitious of appearing a benefaftor. They 
who had not lands to fpare gave roads to accommodate the in- 
fant foundation. The religious were not backward in keeping 
lip this pious propenfity, which they obferved fo readily in- 
fluenced the breafts of men. Thus did the more opulent monaf- 
teries add houfe to houfe, and field to field; and by degrees 
manor to manor: till at laft " there was no place left;" but 
every diftrift around became appropriated to the purpofes of their 
founders, and every precindl was drawn into the vortex. 
X X .2 
LETTEP. 
