priory of HASTINGS ; as well as the anxiety he manifested to favour and promote the interests of the work , will ever live in my remembrance. My feelings would prompt me to speak in praise of this most excellent prelate, as well as refined scholar and gentleman ; but the amiability of his character is too well known to need my eulogium.
In acknowledging the receipt of information and assistance, I have to return my thanks for the indefatigable labours of EDWARD GREEN , Esq., who has throughout the progress of the work rendered me the most important aid , not only by attending the different libraries to make researches, but in visiting the town of HASTINGS itself, as well as correcting the sheets for the press ; and without whose kind coadjutorship I should , probably, never have under taken the task . On all these accounts I feel it but an act of duty thus publicly to return my sincerest thanks to him, as well as generally, for the friendly regard he has uniformly taken in the interest and success of the work.
To the royal and noble personages, and the numerous friends, who have honoured this volume by their names and patronage, I beg leave, in an especial manner, to offer my tribute of respectful gratitude; for it is to their kind encouragement and protection of it, that I am , in a very principal degree, indebted for its publication.
In conclusion. - Whilst aware that I ought rather to deprecate the severity of criticism, than court and expect its praise, I cherish the humble hope that the work will not, in its details, be found wholly destitute of local interest, at least, however it may be defective in the manner of narrating them . The graces of language and composition have not been within my reach, nor have I aimed at affecting them . Historical detail wants but little of the ornaments and embellishments of fancy. I have been solely solicitous of sending forth my book as clear and perspicuous as possible, conceiving that style of writing to be the best, which is the simplest and the most generally intelligible.
Kennington , July 1824.
