XXIII. Letter from M. Octave Delepierre, Secretary of the Belgian Legation, Honorary F.S.A., to Sir Henry Ellis, Secretary, communicating a Document preserved among the Records of West Flanders, relating to the carved Stalls of Melrose Abbey Church

Extract

I venture to submit to you a Document which may perhaps offer some interest to the Society of Antiquaries.

Unable to show my gratitude for the honour they have conferred upon me, in admitting a stranger amongst them, by any work of great length, because it is very hazardous to write on scientific subjects in a foreign language, I will try, notwithstanding, to prove that I am not entirely unworthy of the favour done me. Having been occupied for six years in researches among the old records and charters of Flanders, I have collected a good number of documents relating to the connexion which existed formerly between England and my Country. If it were agreeable to the Society of Antiquaries, I could send you, from time to time, Copies of these Documents. I have now the honour of submitting to you one of them, on the carved Stalls of the ancient church of Melrose Abbey in Scotland.