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THE PREFACE.
THE advances that all parts of Learn∣ing have within these few years made in England, are very obvious; but the progress is visible in nothing more, than in the illustrations of our own Hi∣story and Antiquities. To which end we have had our ancient Records and Annals published from the Originals, the Chorographical De∣scription of these Kingdoms very much im∣proved, and some attempts made toward a just body of English History. For those also that are more particularly curious, we have had not only the Histories both Natural and Civil of several Counties, the descriptions of Cities, and the Monuments and Antiquities of Cathedral Churches accurately collected; but even the memoirs of private Families, Villages, and Houses, compiled and published. And the great prices those Books bear in our publick Auctions are a sufficient demonstration of their Credit and Esteem with Men of Learning▪ seeing no Library is thought complete without them. For the inquisitive Men of the Nation now find the pleasure and use of being well versed