PREFACE.

On the completion of the History of Tewkesbury, in the year 1830, the Editor found that he had still in his possession a considerable number of unpublished manuscripts relating to the borough, and that some interesting information had eluded his previous researches: being desirous that these memoranda should not be altogether lost or withheld from the public, and having, in the compilation of his former work, experienced much difficulty in ascertaining correct dates and important particulars respecting many of the events connected with his subject, he determined upon issuing an annual publication, which should embrace a chronicle of transactions and occurrences relative to the town and its immediate neighbourhood during the current year, and at the same time. form a repository for the occasional introduction of antiquarian, topographical, statistical and other documents, illustrative of and supplementary to the History.

The Tewkesbury Register and Magazine was not projected with any expectation of its ever becoming a source of emolument to the publisher; for as it was evident that its patrons would be chiefly confined to individuals who were resident in the borough, and to such as were in some

way or other interested in its prosperity or in the proceedings of its inhabitants, the circulation of it would necessarily be extremely limited. The Editor being, however, like Horace Walpole, "fond of English local history," has experienced some gratification in his humble literary pursuits; and if, amongst much that is wholly unimportant and much that is merely ephemeral, this periodical should be the means of preserving from oblivion or rendering more accessible any portion of valuable historical or local information, he will consider that his labours have not been destitute of some degree of utility.

Having therefore commenced this little annual chiefly for his own amusement, the Editor would probably not have been deterred from proceeding with it, even had his undertaking received a less share of public approval than it has experienced : he has however been encouraged and aided in his efforts by those whose favourable opinion may fairly be allowed to have some weight; and if life and health should be vouchsafed to him, it is his intention to continue the work until at least another volume shall have been completed.

Tewkesbury, 1840.