ΤΟ JOHN LESLIE, F. R. S. E. PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, WHOSE DISTINGUISHED TALENTS ARE SEDULOUSLY DEVOTED TO THE INSTRUCTION AND WHOSE LUMINOUS DISCOVERIES IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY HAVE ENLARGED THE BOUNDARIES OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE, THIS VOLUME IS, IN GRATEFUL RETURN FOR KIND ATTENTIONS TO HIS SON DURING THE COURSE OF HIS STUDIES PREFACE. THE flattering reception of THE JUVENILE TOUR1ST, embracing EXCURSIONS through the West of England, the Midland Counties, and the County of Kent, has induced the Author to comply with the request of his friends in producing, on a similar plan, the present publication. That its execution has been so long delayed must be attributed to his professional engagements. The superintendance of a Seminary leaves only the leisure. hour for the productions of the press, though consecrated, as they have in his case always been, to the service of THE RISING GENERATION. No apology is offered by the Author for the numerous Biographical sketches found in the subsequent pages. The venerable Dead called up from their graves seem to pass before the eye a second time, clothed afresh with the attributes of life and action, whilst to teach by example must be pronounced the most powerful mode of instruction. The recurrence of so many eminent characters will not be met with in any other route of equal extent throughout the British dominions! The Philosopher and the Poet, the Politician and the Divine, here unite to form a constellation of worthies illustrating the triumphs of Literature and exalting the glory of Civilized Humanity. Passing rich are the biographie annals of ALBION on the mighty scroll, sweeping through the long tract of centuries, are seen illumined-" Martyrs to her pure religion, Patriots expiring on the scaffold and in the field for her laws and liberties, Wise Men deliberating in councils and courts of justice, Historians recording her virtues for universal example, Bards enshrining themselves in immortal numbers, and a host of Heroes defending her against an envious world !" * The EXCURSION to Windsor (in twelve Letters to * See the second Part of ARMATA, a valuable Work ascribed to the pen of the justly celebrated LORD ERSKINE, and illustrative of the Constitution, Religion, Laws, Manners aud Customs of Great Britain. |