THE BEAUTIES OF England and Wales; OR, DELINEATIONS, TOPOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE, OF EACH COUNTY. EMBELLISHED WITH ENGRAVINGS. BY JOHN BRITTON AND EDWARD WEDLAKE BRAYLEY. VOL. I. "Happy Britannia ! "Rich is thy soil, and merciful thy clime: "Thy streams unfailing in the fummer's drought: "Thy villas shine. Thy country teems with wealth. THOMSON. LONDON: Printed by Thomas Maiden, Sherbourne-Lane,, FOR VERNOR AND HOOD, LONGMAN AND REES, J. CUTHELL, AND CROSBY AND LETTERMAN. 1801. ADVERTISEMENT. THE Subscribers to this Work are respectfully informed, that the ardent desire of the Editors to render the INTRODUCTION as complete as possible, and the time and extensive reading necessary to the full investigation and arrangement of the numerous and complex subjects it involves, have induced them to protract its publication till a more distant period. This delay, the expediency of which cannot be questioned even by those who consider the nature and extent of their design with but partial attention, will afford leisure for that review of British, Roman, and Saxon History, which the Editors imagine will not only prove interesting from the variety of objects it includes, but will also elucidate the origin of many of the important national regulations, which have stamped a character on this Island, given stability to its laws, and extension to its commerce. are "The contemplation of a magnificent building, and of an extensive work," it was observed by a late eminent writer, objects pleasing to the imagination; but the construction in both cases, may be embarrassed with unforeseen contingencies, or impeded by unexpected occurrences." The general truth of this remark has been forcibly experienced by the Editors of this Publication; but it has neither retarded their exertions to render it worthy of encouragement, nor impaired their resolution to deserve success. The first Volume of their Work is now before the Public, whose decision is awaited with confidence intermingled with fear. The former is the offspring of the unceasing solicitude bestowed on this specimen of their assiduity; the latter, of the inaccuracies which, even with the most undivided attention, seem hardly possible to be avoided in a performance of this description. A 5212 Through 1413 158 Through the advice of several judicious literary friends, the Editors have been induced to suspend the publication of the names of the numerous correspondents who have favored them with information till the conclusion of the Work, when they will be incorporated with those of the gentlemen who contributed to its embellishment, by the gift of either drawings or engravings. The List of Topographical Writings, &c. at the end of each Volume, will only include the principal and particular works that are illustrative of the counties described in it. The publications of a general nature, such as Camden's Britannia, and Grose's Antiquities, can be introduced with greater propriety in the introductory observations. The counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, complete the present Volume, which the Subscribers are recommended to have done up in Boards, with the Engravings placed at the beginning, and silver paper between each. When the Work is finished, proper directions will be given for the arrangement of the Plates in the respective counties they are intended to embellish. |