Copying from the
original at Oxford, Dr. Rawlinson printed the Preface and Dedication,
together with Ray's letter of the 27th October, 1691, as addenda to
his edition of Aubrey's "History of Surrey," (1719.) The same
manuscript was also noticed by Thomas Warton and William Huddesford in
a list of the author's works in the Ashmolean Museum.‡ Horace Walpole
referred to the Royal Society's copy in his Anecdotes of Painting
(1762); but though his reference seems to have excited the curiosity
of Gough, the latter contented himself with stating that he could not
find the work mentioned in Mr. Robertson's catalogue of the Society's
library.
‡ [This list forms a note to the "Lives of Leland, Hearne, and Wood"
(8° 1772). Though it includes the "Natural History," it omits the
"Description of North Wiltshire." The latter was known previously,
being mentioned by Aubrey himself in his Miscellanies, and also by Dr.
Rawlinson; and hence, Warton and Huddesford's list being supposed to
be complete, much confusion has arisen respecting these two of
Aubrey's works, which have been sometimes considered as identical.]
Some years ago Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., contemplated publishing
this "Natural History," but he appears to have abandoned his design.
A brief description of the present state of the two manuscripts, with
reference to the text of the volume now published, may be desirable.
The Oxford copy, which may be termed the author's rough draught, is in
two parts or volumes, demy folio, in the original vellum binding.
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