TO THE REV. EDWARD HASTED, VICAR OF HOLLINGBORNE.
MY DEAR EDWARD,
I AM certain you will accept this Volume, with the greatst
pleasure, as a small token of my parental affection to you, who
have ever been an example of duty and filial affection to me; in
it you will find a description of that part of the County in the
near neighbourhood of which you received the early part of your
Education, under our most amianle and much respected Friend,
the late Dr. Beauvoir, whose talents as a gentleman and a scholar
are universally known. To his instructions you was indebted
for that proficiency of Learning which introduced you with
credit to be a Member of that University, which has ever held
its pre-eminence, as the first seminary of learning in this kingdom; where your mind was enriched with that further progress
of knowledge, and with those mental accomplishments which
has enabled you to fulfil with propriety the pastoral charge committed to your care, to the benefit as well as the universal satisfaction of the flock entrusted to you, by the most reverend and
highly respectable Prelate, to whose liberality you owe your advancement to it; but your suavity of manners, and benevolence
of heart, at the same time that it gains you the friendship and
esteem of the respectable neighbourhood, in which you are so
happily situated, endears you to all who know you. That you
may, by the blessing of Providence, long enjoy the fruits of
your goodness and amiable conduct, is the servent prayer of my
dear Edward,
Your sincere well wisher,
And ever affectionate Father,
EDWARD HASTED.
LONDON,
July 1, 1800.