"On vent'rous wing in queft of FAME I go, MARKET - HARBOROUGH : PRINTED BY AND FOR THE AUTHOR. Sold in London by Meffrs. Wilkie and Robinson, And Mr. BURNHAM, Northampton. 1808. PRICE 91X SHILLINGS IN BOARDS.] PREFACE and DEDICATION. H OW weak are human resolves! Although my Hiftory of Stamford was commended by the Reviewers, and well received by the Publick, yet, on recollecting the anxiety, trouble, mortification, difappointments, and expences naturally attending fuch a work, I determined never more to engage in any undertaking of the kind; but, thank Heaven! pain is foon forgotten, as the prolific part of the fex know full well. Next, affifted by my late very worthy friend HAYMAN ROOKE, efq. I published my Hiftory of Mansfield - this too was well received. And now, gentle Reader, pofitively, for the third and laft time of performing, I present you with the Hiftory of my native place; but, perhaps, 'twere better "To toy with Amaryllis in the shade, It is now high time I began to thank JOHN NICHOLS, Efquire, the only Contributor to this Work, for not only permitting me to copy whatever I thought proper from his valuable Hiftory of Leicestershire, but also for furnishing me with the Plates which ornament the work- Acts of Generofity in which he stands unrivalled. I affure my Readers that neither pains nor expence have been fpared to render this work as entertaining as the fubject will admit; for, as mere antiquarian matter might to fome prove dry, I have graf.ed many anecdotes upon it, and frequently departed alfo from the gravity with which fuch subjects are ufually treated in thort I have journeyed many a mile in fearch of materials, panting after Fame with the ardour of a Poet labouring for immortality. What kind of reception my book will meet with is a fecret of which I am not yet in poffeffion; but fhall, no doubt, very foon, as there are but a few hours between me and criticifin. I was juft in the at of returning thanks to Heaven for permitting me to finish my work, when in pops my devil with a meffage from the compofitor, reminding me of the Dedication;- Eft-il poffible? faid I to myfeif, that I could forget the Dedication for I inftantly recollected that I wrote it even before I penned the title-page; fo on opening my bureau I hit upon it in a moment : THIS WORK IS DEDICATED, WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT, To all those who may be pleased to purchase it. |