The Author begs leave to take this public opportunity of offering his profound acknowledgments to the several Gentlemen of Croydon from whom he has received very important assistance in the progress of the work. In order to gratify the mere English Reader, whatever pieces of Latin have occurred, whether in Verse or Prose, have been, with some exceptions, translated. The numerous Epitaphs in the Church and Church-yard, have been carefully transcribed, and of the Latin ones, the Author has given the best versions he was able to produce; with respect to some. of them, he hopes that allowance will be made, when the obscurity of their originals, and the difference in the genius of the two Languages shall be duly considered. To become acquainted with all that principally relates to any considerable place through which he may pass, must appear to the intelligent Traveller not only desirable, but incumbent upon him. Such information will enliven his intercourse with his companion upon his Journey, and will plentifully supply him with interesting reflections when alone---to know the History of aged Structures, of ancient Institutions, of local Customs and Appointments---to trace the scenes where Piety and Learning have rejoiced to dwell, where genius has flourished, where upon all, perhaps, the evening of mortality has closed---to learn every thing respecting a place, frequented by venerable sages, accustomed by precept and example, to instruct and delight the world---to know what can be known of those shades which have seen a WHITGIFT and a SHELDON consecrated in the tomb---is to render the journey at once pleasing and profitable, is to make the departure from the enjoyments of home reasonable, is to prove that the object of the excursion is not a mere transition from one place to another, but that it is, what it ought to be, the acquisition of improvement, combined with blameless recreation. If the perusal of the present work shall be followed by these effects, the Author's gratification will be sincere; or if it should only occupy an hour which might have been less innocently employed, the attention he has bestowed upon it will not have been ill directed. While he offers these pages to the Public, he implores its indulgence; conscious of some imperfections, he cannot but apprehend how many more may be discovered---He presumes, however, to hope, that if his Book is to be considered worthy of Criticism, the judges will demean themselves in such a manner as to render him both able and willing to improve it. Abstract of the Statutes of Ellys Davy's Alms House 324 Archbishop Whitgift's Deed of Foundation........ 330 Abstract of the Statutes of Whitgift's Hospital..... 336 ...... |