TO

Her ROYAL HIGHNESS

AUGUSTA,

PRINCESS of WALES,

VELEDA, Veleda was a 1st-century Germanic prophetess and priestess; here, the author uses the name as a high-status, mystical title for Princess Augusta.

Archdruidess of KEW.

THE honour I had, sometime since, in obedience to your commands, of presenting to your Royal Highness, my sentiments In this context, "sentiments" refers to the author's formal scholarly opinions or findings. concerning the Druid instruments called CELTS, In 18th-century archaeology, "celts" (pronounced 'selts') was the term for prehistoric stone or bronze axe-heads. Antiquarians of this period often incorrectly attributed these tools specifically to the Druids. found on digging the bason An older spelling of "basin," referring to the excavation of a large pond or ornamental lake within the gardens. in Kew gardens ; together with some account of the Druids ; induces me most humbly to offer to your view, these kindred Discourses. A "discourse" is a formal written treatise or lecture on a specific subject.

With earnest prayers for your happiness,
I am