To the Right Honourable
James Earl of Abingdon
Lord Chief-Justice in Eyre of All His Majesty’s Forests and Chaces on This Side Trent
My Lord
When I enjoyed the contentment of Solitude in your pleasant walks and gardens at Lavington the last summer, I reviewed several scattered papers which had lain by me for several years; and then presumed to think, that if they were put together, they might be somewhat entertaining: I therefore digested them there in this order, in which I now present them to your Lordship.
The matter of this collection is beyond human reach: we being miserably in the dark, as to the economy of the invisible world, which knows what we do, or incline to, and works upon our passions and sometimes is so kind as to afford us a glimpse of its prescience.
My Lord
It was my intention to have finished my Description of Wiltshire* (half finished already) and to have dedicated it to your Lordship: but my age is now too far spent for such undertakings: I have therefore devolved that task on my country man, Mr. Thomas Tanner, - who hath youth to go through with it, and a genius proper for such an undertaking.
Wherefore, I humbly beseech your Lordship to accept of this small offering, as a grateful memorial of the profound respect which I have for you, who have for many years taken me into your favour and protection.
My Lord
May the blessed Angels be your careful guardians: such are the prayers of
Your Lordship’s Most obliged
And humble Servant,
JOHN AUBREY. 1696.
Notes
* In the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, - Afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph.