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 adopt, in the arrangement of them, I should now proceed, to lay before the reader, some information concerning their respective authors. But before I enter on this topic, I think it necessary to declare the motives, which have induced me to give to this work the title of "Tixall Poetry." In the first place, All the poems in this collection were preserved and discovered at Tixall. 2dly, There is great reason to believe, that some of them were written there, and it is certain, that many of them were composed by persons, either born there, or closely connected with it. Sdly, Many of the poems I can ascribe to no author whatever; while of those, whom I have ascertained, none is so predominant, as to be entitled to give his name to the whole collection. Lastly, In addition to these reasons, I have the authority of Drayton, one of the most eminent poets of his time, for asserting, that Tixall has often been the favourite resort, and retreat of the muses. What more appropriate title, therefore, or rather, what other title, could I have chosen for this collection of poems, than that of Tixall Poetry?

V. In proceeding to give an account of the authors, and collectors of the Tixall Poetry, I must begin, by requesting the reader, to recal to his recollection the name of Sir Walter Aston.

Sir Walter Aston, afterwards Lord Aston, Baron of Forfar, in Scotland, was descended from a long line of ancestors, of the same name, who had flourished at Tixall, and in the immediate neighbourhood, for several centuries. Camden calls them, a family of great consideration: "Near the confluence of the Sow and Trent," says he, "stands Ticks-Hall, the seat of the family of Aston, of great eminence in these parts, for its antiquity, and alliances." And Fuller,