Thamp

9-17-43 48314

THE

PREFACE.

T

HE following pages are copied from an ancient Manufcript in poffeffion of the Duke.

and Duchefs of Northumberland, who conceiving that fo fingular a curiofity might afford the fame amusement and pleasure to others, which it hath given to themselves, have caused a small impreffion to be taken off merely to bestow in prefents to their friends.

The original Manufcript, which fills a very large folio volume, and is finely ingroffed upon a ftrong thick paper, had by fome accident or other been loft to the Northumberland family, but was happily preferved in that of the Lords DACRE; till the prefent nobleman restored it to the Duke and Duchefs with a politeness that deferved their particular thanks. Nor ought the very obliging offices of Lord CAMDEN to

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