PREFACE. IT has been long lamented, that Shropshire has produced no Author that has taken a Survey of it, and published its natural and civil History, its Antiquities, and present State. This County does indeed Boast of the famous Lawyer Plowden, the celebrated Hebrician Broughton, the learned divine Dr. Whichcote, the admirable Linguists Wheelock and Hyde, the excellent Grammarians, Critics, and Antiquaries, Burton and Baxter ; but still wants a Plot, or Ashmole, to give a topographical and historical Description of it. Mr. Mytton lately undertook to supply this Defect, and with that View has made very valuable Collections; but the Difficulties and Discouragements he met with, prevented the Execution of so good a Design. Several Years ago I began my Enquires about Wem, which as Time and Opportunity serve, I shall carry through North Bradford. But at Present I shall confine myself to the Allotments of Wem and Shawbury. |