'The reason for my not mentioning the History of Bremhill was this. I had not read at that time more than a very few pages: I knew nothing of Wansdike, nothing of Tanhill, and could not have told in what county, scarcely in what kingdom, were Avebury and Silbury [Crabbe details his activities whilst not reading the book] I am not a reader of topgraphy, though at one time I corresponded with John Nichols. I always had an opinion that it was extremely dull and I even now suspect that yours is not the genuine sort, for I understand you very well and to say nothing of the knowledge acquired, have been amused. The account of parishes and their "fat rectors" is most assuredly correct, lamentably correct [...] Your natural history and more especially your account of Kelloway rock revived in me the desire of seeng that part of the county [but, he says, his health prevents this] I read the more learned portion of the work with all the interest I could acquire and really by the time I had finished the notes on Chap. 2nd I conceived that I understood the matter like a contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine. I mean in its pristine glory. [Crabbe then praises Bowles for inspiring feeling in his readers, which is unusual for those who write on monuments] But seriously, though I like your book the better because it engages me by subjects which I partly understand, yet I dare not affirm that a rigid antiquary would approve any portion of the work, except that which I either do not comprehend or cannot relish....'