Some Particulars of the ancient Abbey of LIRA in Normandy; [v] 2 Halliday To Mr. JOHN ROBINSON, of HINCKLEY. MY GOOD FRIEND, O what Patron is this Hiftory intended to be infcribed, is a question you very naturally have asked me: but I fee not that any Dedication is neceffary. If it were, I fhould perhaps, when treating of Local Antiquities, look up either to the SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON, to whom I can boaft of a profeffional relation; or to that of EDINBURGH, which has done me the honour to enroll my name amongst its Correfponding Members. But my refearches, whilft they have convinced me that there is fcarcely a Village in the Kingdom but could furnish materials for the Hiftorian, either as having been the feat of a battle, the peaceful refidence of fome religious fociety, the birth-place of an eminent individual, or for fome event which posterity would wish to know, have led me to more ambitious views. When I contemplate the dignity fuftained by a Town which furnished the Kingdom with an HEREDITARY LORD HIGH STEWARD, I am naturally led to confider the present amiable REPRESENTATIVE of fo high an Honour, the SOVEREIGN of the British Empire. To HIM, therefore, to the Father of his People, as HEREDITARY BARON OF HINCKLEY, I have every inclination to offer up this humble tribute of dutiful refpect, but. have not the prefumption to requeft the neceffary permiffion.. you As a hearty Well-wisher to the profperity of your native Town ; will live, I hope, to see it restored to no fmall portion of its primi-tive fplendour. Whilft there are fo many blooming Branches of the Royal Stem, we may indulge the pleafing expectation of feeing the BARONY revived in the person of a PRINCE, and this ancient and loyal. Borough again distinguished by the privilege of fending Reprefentatives to the Great Council of the Nation. |