THE following sheets owe their appearance to the numerous applications made to the Editor, in his business as a Bookseller, for a work of this description: finding no other person disposed to undertake the task of writing, or the risk of publishing, he was induced to take the responsibility of both upon himself.

After having made considerable progress, his collections appeared so voluminous that he should have been deterred from proceeding, had he not been encouraged by the number and respectability of the Subscribers, as well as by the consideration, that, by printing the work at his own press, at intervals of leisure afforded by the absence of more profitable employment, he should be enabled to diminish the expenses necessarily attendant on such a publication.

For the insertion of many local circumstances, which, as matters of record, are beneath "the dignity of History", and for the frequency and length of the notes, which may possibly appear to be introduced for the mere purpose of amplifying the work, the Editor can hardly expect to escape censure: he was, however, more willing to incur blame for the introduction of what might be considered unimportant to the many, than for the omission of what would probably be of interest to the few.

His chief endeavour has been to render the volume as useful and interesting as possible to the natives and residents of Tewkesbury: if he shall have effected that object in any degree, and lessened the labours of a future and more efficient Historian, by collecting and preserving some documents which might otherwise have been lost, his highest ambition will be gratified.

The Editor will be happy to receive communications which may serve to rectify any error, or supply any omission, in the History of Tewkesbury; in order that he may be the better enabled to publish a new edition, should it hereafter be deemed requisite.

Tewkesbury, March, 1830.