liar with the sciences; and acquainted, intimately, with history, agriculture, mineralogy, biography, and the belles lettres. His mind should be enlarged by commerce with the various branches of society, and his judgment endowed with those comprehensive powers which result from the study and comparison of the opinions of every age, and of every nation. He should have a taste for the polite arts, and particularly for drawing, which induces new ideas, and quickens the perceptive faculties almost to the creation of a new sense. In short, every exercise by which the moral and physical capabilities of man are invigorated, should be familiar to him, Wisdom, and knowledge, and understanding, should be the heralds of his way, and the companions of his lucubrations; and his capacity should be enough enlightened to seize the remote relations of things, and combine them according to times, situations, and circumstances. Possessing these attainments, he should commence his researches with an examination of every promulgated authority. He should investigate deeds, however ancient, and unroll and peruse charters, however worm-eaten. He should compare evidence, where accounts clash, and believe no assertions without demonstrative argument. He should trace the relations

of history to the theatres wherein the events were transacted; and compare the records of past ages with existing memorials. No political bias should sway his opinions; no prejudice pervert his judgment. His enquiries should be indefatigable; his studies unremitted. With a mind thus moulded, and industry thus employed, he may presume to hope that the difficulties which the complex nature of the subject entails upon his labours, will be successfully terminated.

"What, then," it may be asked, "are you in possession of all these estimable qualifications? Are your talents so superabundant, that after this acknowledgment of the obstacles which impede research, you dare to rush into the world, and call the attention of the public to a work which the concentration of so many qualities is requisite to make perfect ?"—No! far from it! I know the limited extent of my own abilities too well to imagine that these imperfect sketches of my native county are of sufficient eminence to justify such an arrogant opinion. The motives which induced me to undertake it, will corroborate my assertions.

The maxims of wisdom can only be elicited by the generalization of individual observations; it becomes, therefore, the duty of every man to augment the stock of public information with

the fruits of his own experience. This sentiment, co-operating with the knowledge that the admirers of topography had never been gratified with an exclusive account of WILTSHIRE, induced me to direct my attention to those circumstances which appeared to be more peculiarly interesting in a description of that county; and the performance now offered to the public is the result of FOUR years sedulous application.

The predominant characteristics of every county naturally excite a peculiar association of ideas; thus in contemplating Wilts, we generally reflect on its extensive plains, its Druidical character, its clothing manufactures, and its elegant seats. These subjects I have particularly attended to, in the following pages; in which I have endeavoured to render their delineation both correct and interesting. Wiltshire, above any other county, perhaps, abounds with remains of British, Roman, Saxon, Danish, and Norman antiquities; some of these are particularly described, others are only mentioned incidentally, according as their relative importance coincided with my opportunities of investigation.

Although I do not arrogate the dignified appellation of a County Historian, yet I trust that this attempt to illustrate the BEAUTIES OF WILTSHIRE will be attended with a due portion of

public encouragement; for I can truly affirm that I have perused every published description of the county, and examined several MSS. in the Bodleian Library, and other repositories. I have likewise consulted many learned antiquaries, and particularly regarded their advice and observations; and, finally, I have sought, by every means in my power, to render the work fully deserving the approbation of the reader.

This county has peculiar claims on my affections. It contains objects dear to my heart, and ever present to my memory. My earliest breath was drawn within its limits; the gambols of my infancy were acted in its rural vales; and the happy days of scholastic initiation were all passed in its humble villages, and the town of Chippenham. The remembrance of these things has more than once animated my exertions; yet my anxiety still trembles lest a disgraceful failure should cast a reproach on my birth-place, or raise the blush of shame on the cheek of a friend. The emotions of hope are blended with the palpitations of fear.

The title of BEAUTIES prefixed to a work of this description, may with some persons be thought objectionable. Querulous animadversion I should disdain to answer: yet as the opipions of those whose judgment I respect, may

not

not on this head be coincident with my own, I shall adduce the reasons that influenced my determination. To me there appeared no term more applicable to a work whose prominent object was a delineation of the principal ornaments and decorations that appertain to the elegant mansions and chief places within the county.

Lord Chesterfield has observed, that first appearances have a powerful effect with the majority of mankind; and that primary impressions are commonly very lasting. The advice contained in these sentences, it would have been imprudent to neglect; I have therefore endeavoured to render the present performance both respectable in appearance, and handsome in embellishment. In these particulars, I believe, no purchaser can reasonably assert that his money was ill bestowed.

Though I am conscious that these sketches are defective, I know likewise that they contain much original information, and which, to my judgment, seems both important and interesting; and I cannot avoid flattering myself with the hope that they will be satisfactory to the majority of readers. The liberal mind will appremy ciate the merit of my labours, with full allowance for the imperfections of humanity, and the

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