The Picture of England and Wales

Preface

TO THE FIRST VOLUME. In laying before the Reader the first Volume of this Work, it is necessary to give a brief explana tion ofthe motives which led me to undertake it, and of the manner in which I have endeavoured to exe cute my task. Attached to the reading of topographical works from my childhood, I have been accustomed to assign to that class of literature a higher rank than, perhaps, it may generally be thought to merit. Yet, accompanied, as it sometimes is, and always should be, by historical narrative, biographical memoir, and poetical description, what can be imagined at once so delightful and so instructive; so full of materials for thought, and so pregnant with useful information! I am fully aware that several works are already before the world, whose object is similar to my own — viz. a description of the country in which we live; nor have I the slightest disposition to deny their claims to the favour ofthe Public.

Yet, I may be permitted to observe, that these works are, generally speaking, unsuited to the great mass of readers of the present day; and while I do not presume to expect that this book will displace the voluminous " Beauties of England and Wales," from the libraries of the wealthy, I am induced to hope that it may, at one-fifteenth part of the cost, supply its place in the humbler collections of the " useful classes." In the preparation of this volume, I have visited a great part of the country described; have consulted the best aud most recent authors on each subject; and have been assisted by communications from many intelligent correspondents. The alphabetical arrangevol. i. a

PREFACE.

. ment has been adopted, from its affording greater facility of reference than any other; but, to avoid repetition, villages, mansions, or other objects, in the vicinity of cities or large towns, have been de scribed immediately after those places. The Historical Narratives with which each county is introduced, give a brief sketch of the most me morable events connected with them; and other im portant transactions are related in mentioning the places where they occurred. The Biographical Notices are necessarily contracted, but it is hoped they will be found to embody those incidents in the lives of our philosophers, poets, divines, statesmen, and warriors, which are the most characteristic and instructive. In describing buildings and other objects, whether natural or artificial, I have studiously avoided the use of those technicalities with which almost every work on this subject is incumbered: the writers of these books appear to suppose the terms of architec ture, heraldry, mineralogy, and geology, as familiar to their readers as to themselves, aud accordingly fill their pages with descriptions which convey no information to the uninitiated; and as this work is principally designed for the young and the unscientific, the adoption of such phraseology here would have been especially absurd.

In conclusion it should be observed, that the En gravings afford faithful and spirited representations of the most remarkable objects described ; and that it is trusted the work will be found to possess strong claims to public favour on the score of cheapness, utility, and elegance. A. F. KENDALL. London, Feb. I, 1831.