OR, ESSAYS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE HALLE OF JOHN HALLE, CITIZEN, AND MERCHANT, OF SALISBURY, IN THE REIGNS OF HENRY VI. AND EDWARD IV.: W. B. BRODIE AND CO., CANAL. M.DCCC.XXXVII. PREFACE. THIS, almost constituent, portion of a book is presumed to be the first written, but (as in the present instance) it is, generally, the expiring effort of the author's pen. It is, in reality, his postscript. It often serves to develope the style, and character, of the book itself, and is an index to the mind of its author. It is the touch-stone of literature; and from the impressions created by its perusal, the work, of which it is the forerunner, or gentleman-usher, is often prejudged, and sometimes, mayhap, at once thrown aside. The preface is rightly esteemed to be the most difficult part of a book to write-indeed, so much so that many able authors have rejected it altogether, and permitted their works to jump at once into the world without the aid of a formal introduction, and-they have not done unwisely. As the Author deems it necessary to impart to his readers some explanations relative to this b work, he must write his preface, and perform his unpleasing task as well as he can. To exculpate himself from its imperfections he will candidly state its origin and progress, and thus, also, account for the apparent delay of its publication; and it is the more incumbent on him to do this, lest he should be challenged, in the outset of his work, as to the facts, whether John Halle, and his splendid room, had any other existence than in his own imaginationwhether it be not all the illusion of a dream. From time immemorial the remains of an ancient mansion, forming a portion of certain premises, situate on the New Canal, in the City of Salisbury, were known to exist; and they were, ever and anon, visited by the antiquary, or the virtuoso. A large hall, or refectory, (divided, and sub-divided into many small upper, and lower, rooms,) was evidently developed to the curious investigator of antiquities, but its origin and its owner were veiled in the mists of time. When these premises were recently purchased by Mr. Sampson Payne, China-man, the present owner, and occupier of this ancient mansion, he, at considerable expense, removed the modern partitions, and renovated this curious Hall, which is now to be seen in its original size, and proportions. Its richly-storied windows, its antique chimney-piece, its massive, and elegant, roof, framed of oak, or chestnut, did suggest, that this was an ancient refectory; but, whether that of a |