- J. B.]
Foreigners say of us that we are "Lyncei foris, Talp? domi". There is
no nation abounds with greater varietie of soiles, plants, and
mineralls than ours; and therefore it very well deserves to be
surveyed. Certainly there is no hunting to be compared with "Venatio
Panos"; and to take no notice at all of what is dayly offered before
our eyes is grosse stupidity.
I was from my childhood affected with the view of things rare; which
is the beginning of philosophy : and though I have not had leisure
to make any considerable proficiency in it, yet I was carried on with
a strong [secret] inpulse to undertake this taske: I knew not why,
unles for my owne private [particular] pleasure. Credit there was
none; for it getts the disrespect [contempt] of a man's neighbours.
But I could not rest [be] quiet till I had obeyed this secret call.
Mr. Camden, Dr. Plott, and Mr. Wood confess the same [like].
I am the first that ever made an essay of this kind for Wiltshire,
and, for ought I know, in the nation; having begun it in An°. 1656. In
the yeare 1675 I became acquainted with Dr. Robert Plott, who had then
his "Naturall Historie of Oxfordshire " upon the loome, which I
seeing he did performe so excellently well, desired him to undertake
Wiltshire, and I would give him all my papers: as I did [he had] also
my papers of Surrey as to the naturall things, and offered him my
further assistance. But he was then invited into Staffordshire to
illustrate that countie; which having finished in December 1684, I
importuned him again to undertake this county: but he replied he was
so taken up in [arranging ?] of the Museum Ashmoleanum that he should
meddle no more in that kind, unles it were for his native countie of
Kent; and therefore wished me to finish and publish what I had begun.
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