AS IT IS TO-DAY: - WHERE TO GO, AND WHAT TO SEE, Ellustrated with a Map of London, AND UPWARDS OF TWO HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD, LONDON: H. G. CLARKE & CO., 4, EXETER CHANGE. PREFACE. 0 The unexampled success which has attended the publication of this work, has been highly gratifying to the Editor, assuring him, as it does, that his intentions have been appreciated; and, he now with confidence submits it to the Public, in the hope that it will be found a faithful and entertaining picture of "London as it is to Day." The Editor anxious to justify and substantiate the title by which he has introduced his work to the public, will seek in each succeeding edition, to convey an adequate notion of its ever-changing mien. The task he has undertaken, is, it must be confessed, one of great magnitude, yet it is from the contemplation of the dignity of the subject, that he has derived the necessary stimulus to exertion. If he has occasionally dilated on comparative trifles, it must be recollected that minute parts are of essential importance to a mighty whole; we pass the isolated block, as an abstract object, but gaze with awe at the solemn pyramid; and without pretending to the skill of a painter, in arranging his materials with that refinement of composition, so necessary to the ends of art, the Editor trusts that their proportionate magnitudes have been observed, their due stations assigned to them, and that no artifices of light and shade have been resorted to, in order to enhance or deteriorate their value. He has endeavoured, in treating of national objects, to evince a national feeling. Where he has ventured to depart from the ordinary routine of a Guide, he trusts that the few opinions he has felt called upon to advance, are in harmony with the conclusions of every cool reasoner and sincere patriot. The materials have been collected from every available authentic source, whether by research or personal observation; and it is hoped that such an arrangement has been made as is best calculated to give the visitor to the metropolis in this eventful year-a year that will ever be memorable in the annals of industry' a clear conception of London, as a whole; and by means of an ample ¡ndex, render access to the more intricate branches of the maze, a matter of little difficulty, whilst, by the introduction of a profusion of wood engravings, from original sketches, an increased importance is given to the work, which cannot fail to be duly recognised. It must, however, be admitted, that notwithstanding the utmost care and diligence, perfect accuracy in a work of this character is unattainable, owing to the changes which are daily taking place; the Editor therefore relies on the indulgence of the public for errors not his own, and will feel greatly obliged by any corrections or suggestions for its improvement, addressed to him at his publishers, 4, Exeter Change, Strand. MARCH 1ST., 1851. |