The astrologers and historians write that the ascendant as of Oxford is Capricornus, whose lord is Saturn, a religious planet, and patron of religious men. If it be so, surely this influence runnes all along through North Wilts, the vale of Glocestershire, and Somersetshire. In all changes of religions they are more zealous than other; where in the time of the Rome-Catholique religion there were more and better churches and religious houses founded than any other part of England could shew, they are now the greatest fanaticks, even to spirituall madness: e. g. the multitude of enthusiastes. Capt. Stokes, in his “Wiltshire Rant, “printed about 1650, recites ye strangest extravagancies of religion that were ever heard of since the time of the Gnosticks. The rich wett soile makes them hypochondricall. “Thus wind i’th Hypochondries pent, Proves but a blast, if downwards sent; But if it upward chance to flie Becomes new light and prophecy.”—HUDIBRAS. [The work above referred to bears the following title: “The Wiltshire Rant, or a Narrative of the Prophane Actings and Evil Speakings of Thomas Webbe, Minister of Langley Burrell, &c. By Edward Stokes. “4to. Lond. 1652.—J. B.] The Norfolk aire is cleare and fine. Indigente, good clear witts, subtile, and the most litigious of England: they carry Littleton’s Tenures at the plough taile. Sir Thorn. Browne, M. D., of Norwich, told me that their eies in that countrey doe quickly decay; which he imputes to the clearness and driness (subtileness) of the aire. Wormwood growes the most plentifully there of any part of England; which the London apothecaries doe send for. Memorandum.—That North Wiltshire is very worme-woodish and more litigious than South Wilts. [A Table of Contents, or List of the Chapters, is prefixed to each Part, or Volume, of the Manuscript, as follows:—] THE CHAPTERS. PART I. 1. Air. 2. Springs Medicinall. 3. Rivers. 4. Soiles. 5. Mineralls and Fossills. 6. Stones. 7. Formed Stones. 8. An Hypothesis of the Terraqueous Globe: a digression “ad mentem M{emo}ri”, R. Hook, R.S.S. 9. Plants. 10. Beastes. 11. Fishes. 12. Birds. 13. Insects and Reptils. 14. Men and Woemen. 15. Diseases and Cures. 16. Observations on some Register Books, as also the Poore Rates and Taxes of the County, “ad mentem D{omi}ni” W. Petty. PART II. 1. Worthies. 2. The Grandure of the Herberts, Earles of Pembroke. Wilton House and Garden. 3. Learned Men who received Pensions from the Earles of Pembroke. 4. Gardens—Lavington-garden, Chelsey-garden, &c. 5. Arts—Inventions. 6. Architecture. 7. Agriculture and Improvements. 8. The Downes—Sheep—Shepherds—Pastoralls. 9. Wool. 10. Falling of Rents. 11. History of Cloathing 12. Eminent Cloathiers of this County. 13. Faires and Marketts 14. Hawks and Hawking. 15. The Race. 16. Number of Attorneys in this Countie now and heretofore. 17. Locall Fatality. 18. Accidents. 19. Seates