THE BEAUTIES OF England and Wales: OR, ORIGINAL DELINEATIONS, TOPOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE, PRINTED FOR J. HARRIS; LONGMAN AND CO.; J. WALKER; R. BALDWIN ; SHERWOOD AND CO.; J. AND J. CUNDEE ; B. AND R. CROSBY AND CO.; 1815. ADVERTISEMENT. IT is with considerable pleasure I now close the present Volume, descriptive principally of the City of London, properly so called. The candid Reader will have observed the difficulty under which it has been executed, arising chiefly from a deficiency of information respecting the precise plan intended to have been adopted by my predecessor, had he completed it. I have found it totally impossible to conclude, as was intended, the Description of London and Westminster with this Third Part; and, rather than suppress or mutilate several highly important materials, I have deemed it more conformable to the plan of a work of such a nature to comply with the wishes of several Subscribers, and to give the History, and Description of the ancient City of Westminster, and the innumerable improvements in its Liberties and immediate neighbourhood, in a small distinct Part, or Volume. An arrangement of this kind will certainly require no apology to those who duly appreciate the value of a publication like the present one; and every thing shall be done in the succeeding Part to render it useful, original, and acceptable to the Subscribers. Concerning ADVERTISEMENT. Concerning the Third Part now closed, I have but little farther to observe.-That no industry has been wanted, the regular appearance of the numbers will verify. And as to the judgment that has been exercised in the collection and arrangement of the materials, my readers will differ. In one or two instances, perhaps, the descriptions will appear somewhat lengthened and disproportionate. It is difficult at all times to avoid these discrepancies; but the reader may rest assured that they shall be avoided as much as possible. Where they have occurred, at the time, they appeared to me necessary and important. To mention the various persons by name to whom I am indebted for their assistance and communications would present a list of names honourable to my work; but much too long for this Advertisement. Those to whom I am personally known will, I am certain, give me credit for a proper sense of their kindness; and others will judge of the estimation in which I hold their obliging communications by the liberal use which I have here made of them. With respect to Books and MSS, I can only observe, that I have made such use of all that have come in my way as I thought would enrich or aid my own exertions; and I have never wilfully omitted to acknowledge my authorities. London, July 5th, 1815. |