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PREFACE.

A WORK of this kind needs no apology. Let it suffice to say, that men of the greatest learning have employed their time usefully, in collecting from such remains of antiquity as are here preserved, historical facts, that were no otherwise to be obtained; and for want of which, persons have been frequently connected with actions they had no relation to, events have been misplaced, and the true order of things confounded. The little regard the latter historians of our own nation have paid to these memorials, is perhaps one reason why their labours appear imperfect, and why the authors themselves, for the most part, outlive the reputation of their works

Indeed, it is a tedious, a difficult, and often au impossible task, to have recourse to those marble records that are everywhere to be found diffused through this great kingdom; but when all that are worthy of notice in so considerable a repository as Westminster Abbey are collected together in one small book, it will be an unpardonable neglect not to make a proper use of it.

If it shall appear, upon comparison of these few sheets, that persons who have had the most considerable share in the transactions of the times in which they lived, have been but just named by our historians, while others of less note have been magnified beyond their true merit; that actions have been ascribed to one that were performed by another; and that many things are reported

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in general, which ought to have been attributed to particular persons or families, the utility of the work will then be apparent, and a road pointed out, by which the errors of our historians may be corrected, their defects supplied, and justice done to the memories of many who have eminently distinguished themselves in the service of their country.

But not to dwell on this advantage only, when there are others of no small importance resulting from it, strangers who visit Westminster Abbey will find their account in the perusal of this book. The little time they are allowed in surveying the enclosed chapels, may be more usefully employed by means of it, and their pains rewarded by the recollection of things worthy to be remembered; the unlearned will be enabled by it to converse with the monuments of the dead, with the same pleasure as the learned; and those who have never seen, nor are ever likely to see, this stately edifice, may conceive some idea of its form, magnificence, and furniture, by the account here given of it. The guides use their best endeavours to communicate most fully to their respective companies, if their recollection fails, reference to this book will satisfy the most curious observer.

Add to all these, the contemplation of the things herein recorded, in a religious sense; for, as the great Mr. Addison observes, "when we read the dates of the tombs of some that died yesterday, and some six hundred years ago, we cannot help considering that great day, when we shall all of us be contemporaries, and make our appearance before one awful judge together."

OF ADMISSION.

To view the whole of the Abbey, enter at Poet's-Corner door, opposite the House of Lords. Guides are in attendance, from nine till six every day, except SUNDAYS, GOOD FRIDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY, and GENERAL FASTS. The Abbey is not shown after the Afternoon Service during the Winter Months. For seeing all that is to be shown, the expense is Sixpence each person. On entering Poet's-Corner, Dryden's monument is on the right hand, and the monuments to Dr. Busby, Dr. South, and Dr. Vincent, are before you. The entrance to the Nine Chapels is on your right.

The names of the several Chapels, beginning from the south cross, and so passing round to the north cross, are in order as follows:-1. St. Benedict; 2. St. Edmund; 3. St. Nicholas; 4. Henry VII.; 5. St. Paul; 6. St. Edward the Confessor; 7. St. Erasmus; 8. Islip's Chapel, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist; 9. St. John, St. Michael, and St. Andrew. The three last are now laid together. The Chapel of Edward the Confessor stands, as it were, in the centre, and is enclosed in the body of the Church. Keep on your right, and the Chapel of St. Benedict is adjoining the Tombs-gate, in which Chapel several Deans were buried-Dr. Bill, the first of the present establishment, and Dean Vincent, the last. The late Dean, Dr. Ireland, was buried in front of Camden's monument, in the same grave with Mr. Gifford, his associate through life.

* Several men intercept all persons as they approach Poet'sCorner to see the Abbey, and show them the Courts of Law, Westminster Hall, &c., which are open all day, free of expense: persons attending to them are oft-times prevented from seeing the Church for that day, as the hours of service intervene.

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N. B.-The Chapel of St. BLAIZE is in the Poet's Corner.
GOLDSMITH'S Monument is over the door of entrance to it, and
the Chapel is now used as a Vestry.

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