What I saw in London

Preface

It is customafy, we believe, to write a preface, if one ventures to do that somewhat dangerous, though not uncommon thing — make a book. Taking advantage of this custom, we will not let our firstling go forth without a single explanation to live or die, according to its intrinsic merits. Our words shall be few, however — simply in explanation of the circumstances under which we saw the emporium of England.

In the autumn of 1847, at the age of nineteen, we sailed from Boston for Liverpool, and resided in the English capital for a year : again in the July of 1850 we set sail from New York for Liverpool, and spent another twelvemonth in London. This volume is the result of our observations during that time.

We simply write of what we saw, and therefore the work is not a hand-book to London ; we have described some things at length, others with brevity, but make no pretensions of describing all even of the prominent men and things in the English metropolis. But as a faithful description of such men and things as came under our observation — as a true account of our own impressions of London, its places, people, their manners and customs, we hope for it the good opinion of those who may honor it with attention.

During our first year in London we were so busily occupied as scarcely to be able to have a fair view of its renowned places and men, but during our last year there, seeing and describing was our principal employment. Our companion during that year was our cousin and friend, Rufus C. Reynolds, Esq., and we cannot refrain from mentioning here the enthusiasm with which we together threaded the myriad avenues of the great town, seeking out not only the abodes of wealth and splendor, but the haunts of the poor and down-trodden.

There are probably inaccuracies in the style of our pages, and possibly in statement, though, we trust, to a very limited extent. Our object has been to give a vi\'id picture of the English Metropolis, shifting quickly and easily from one subject to another, and treating no single subject at any great length. We have, in carrying out our plan, made use of mat ter which has, in a more condensed and inaccurate form, been furnished by us while abroad, to several American journals ; but it has been revised and rewritten, and much new matter added thereto. If the reader is amused and instructed, our purpose will be accomplished.

D. W. BARTLETT.