THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE

In a series of letters addressed to THOMAS PENNANT, ESQ. and
The Hon. DAINES BARRINGTON



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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 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.