all anachronisms . This it has been my particular study to avoid, convinced that a strict adherence to chronological order is as essential to the composition of history, as , according to the rules of criticism , is the preservation of the unities to the Drama.
Both in the above, as well as the descriptive parts of the volume, the materials have been drawn from the first and most authentic sources, both printed and manuscript ; the communications respecting which , are acknowledged in the notes. How far the task, which has fallen to my lot, has been executed successfully, my friends and the public will determine. It was my wish that the peculiar feeling of the artist should in this, as in the embellishments, constitute a predominant feature of the work , but, being prevented from entirely superintending it myself, by my engagements, I was obliged to avail myself of assistance . This has been cheerfully rendered me by my friends ; and it here becomes a duty incumbent on me to avail myself of the grateful pleasure of ex pressing the obligations I owe to them on this account.
For access to the archives and records of Hastings, I am highly indebted to the liberality of its worthy and respectable MAYOR and CORPORATION.
To the following gentlemen individually, I beg leave also to return my grateful acknowledgments.
To EDWARD MILWARD, Esq. WILLIAM Lucas SHADWELL, and John George SHORTER , Esquires, for many valuable hints and communications, as well as for the most friendly attention to me, personally.
To FRANCIS FREELING , Esq. F.A.S. , JOHN CALEY, Esq .F.A.S. and F.R.S., FREDERICK HOLBROOKE, Esq. F.A.S. , and JOSEPH KAY, Esq., I have to return my best thanks, for the polite and friendly attention to the interests of the work, as well as of several valuable communications and suggestions . Nor, in this place, must I forget to mention, with gratitude, though now no more, the late highly respected and venerable BISHOP OF CHICHESTER , whose polite and amiable condescension in furnishing me with information on points connected with the free chapel, and the -
