Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

Letter from J. Britton, Esq. F.S.A. to Mr. J. Norris Brewer. go boob

DEAR SIR,

inscal úder fed pofilopite In compliance with your wishes, I will endeavour to furnish some account of the origin and early progress of the BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES ;-point out the manner in which that work was originally conducted, and furnish you with the names of most of those gentlemen who afforded myself and Mr. Brayley literary information towards the completion of the first uine Volumes, Volume Eleven, and a portion of the Fifteenth. A statement of this kind appears to be not only due to the patrons of the Work, but an essentially component pat of it.

am

I am the more desirous of being particular on these subjects, and of recording certain facts in the Volume you are now printing, as I am well aware, that both myself and my early coadjutor have been implicated in the errors of other persons, with whom we were never directly or indirectly connected. Believe me, my dear Sir, though I am eager to justify myself for what is done,-guard against erroneous conclusions, and furnish the future Topographer and Biographer with accurate data respecting a large and popular publication, I do not wish to traduce any of its editors, authors, or publishers; or make a statement that is not strictly applicable to the contents, and execution of the Work. From the experience you have had in collecting and writing the accounts of Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Middlesex, you must be well aware of the extreme difficulty of obtaining correct information on many subjects which you may be desirous of explaining;-of the incompetency of some to afford communication;-of the indolence and apathy of others;-of the reserved pride of certain persons, and contemptuous conduct of others. These are only some of the unpleasantries we have had to encounter: hence the experienced topographer and acute critic should exercise much lenity in estimating the contents of a work like the present, which embraces such a vast variety of subjects,-of places, persons, and things;-many of which, from the limits which we originally prescribed to ourselves, could only be briefly noticed, not

[graphic]
[graphic]

illustrated

...

illustrated in detail. At the commencement of this publication, we were certainly much too concise,-indeed on many subjects wholly silent. As the work advanced we acquired not only more knowledge of general chorography and antiquities, but also learnt what was required by the topographical reader; and what was essential towards the completion of the publication. Anxious to satisfy the one, and effect the other, we extended our views,— eagerly sought for original information,-visited nearly every town and principal place in each county,-obtained original communications from many distinguished persons, as will be shewn in a subsequent list,-analized and compared every topographical work that had been published, and indeed zealously endeavoured to render the work, not only satisfactory and creditable to ourselves, but to the critical reader, and to the country. As conducive to this end, we sought a new style of embellishment; in which accuracy of representation should be combined with picturesque effect: in which the young draftsman and engraver, should have an opportunity of displaying their respective talents, and vie with each other in the career of faine.-A new era in topographical literature, as you will readily admit, has been created since the commencement of this century— for, before the BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND appeared, the generality of county histories, and antiquarian works were rather disfigured than adorned by their embellishments. A few of the old draftsmen and engravers are, however, entitled to respect and praise. Hollar, Loggan, and Burghers, have bequeathed us many interesting views of buildings, monuments, stained glass, &c.: but many of the works, even of these artists, are very inaccurate; and from the obvious reason, that the engravers were not sufficiently remunerated for their skill and time. The old bird's-eye views, by Kip, Knyff, &c. and the Views, by S. and N. Buck, are highly useful and interesting; but this class of embellishment is at present "out of fashion." The" cuts," as they are sometimes called, contained in Grose's" Antiquities," and those copied from them, are only tolerable in the very infancy of literature and art, and may be regarded as approaching to caricatures in topography. Gilpin's

views

[ocr errors]

views in his various " Tours," have a certain degree of prettiness and picturesque effect: but they have no one quality of accuracy, nor do they deserve to be classed with topographical embellishments. They may amuse the young masters and misses of drawing schools, but unfortunately they lead to slightness and a neglect of fidelity. In Pennant's works, and Cordiner's Antiquities of Scotland,' there are some respectable prints. Dr. STUKELEY, in his volumes on' Stonehenge,' and 'Abury,' and in his 'Itinerarium Curiosum,' was the first topographical antiquary that furnished plans and sections of buildings, &c; and these are now become eminently interesting and valuable. But for his prints of Avebury, or Abury, as he calls it, we should not have known the magnitude and arrangement of that vast druidical or aboriginal monument. By these and his descriptions, we are enabled to ascertain the immense extent, and unique arrangement, of that mighty work; which the Goths, of modern times, have almost destroyed.* To my respected, but visionary countryman, JOHN AUBREY, we are also indebted for much curious information on the state of many antiquities, before Stukeley's time. The topographical works of Dugdale, Plot, Carew, Lambard, Burton, and Thoroton, are truly valuable and curious. The first engravings, however, of interest, in our times, were Hearne and Byrne's Antiquities of Great Britain;' and these have since been succeeded by a list of works too numerous be particularised here; but the greater part of which have originated from the BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND: Some in opposition to it; some from emulation; and others from a spirit of enquiry, and love of the subject, which grew up with the progress of that work. Among other topographical publications, which have thus courted public patronage, and some of which have conferred ho

to be

[ocr errors]

nour

A view of this village is given in the account of Wiltshire, Vol. XV. merely to shew a few of the upright stones: but to attain an accurate know ledge of the whole temple, in its pristine and perfect state, it is necessary to display it by ground-plans, and different geometrical views. This I propose to do in my third Volume of the " Beauties of Wiltshire," which is ready for the press, and will speedily be produced.

༢་

nour on their respective authors and districts, I feel much pleasure in noticing the following:

"The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester," now publishing in folio, by GEORGE ORMEROD, Esq. M.A. and F.S.A. is a very valuable and interesting specimen of topography. This gentleman communicated much useful and original information relating to Lancashire, and generously presented a plate of the collegiate church at Manchester. In one of his letters to me, dated September 3, 1807, he thus judiciously remarks on the character of the present work. "I always considered your • Beauties' as not intended to enter into deep disquisitions applicable only to the antiquary, or addressed merely to the local vanity of certain county inhabitants; but, as a popular work for general entertainment and utility, a focus to collect the rays of scattered information.”

"Cantabrigia Depicta," by Messrs. Harraden and Son, one Vol. 4to. with several plates. "A History and Description of Cornwall,” now publishing in 4to. by F. HITCHINS, ESQ. and S. DREWE, of St. Austle. The latter gentleman visited some places in Cornwall, with me, in 1804: and also communicated several long and interesting letters on the manners, customs, habits, &c. of the miners of that county. A" History and Illustration of St. George's Chapel, Windsor," by William Herbert, and F. Nash, folio. A "History of Islington," by Mr. Nelson, one. Vol. 4to. "The History of the Inns of Court and Chancery," by W. HERBERT, one Vol. 4to. and 8vo. "The History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton," by G. Baker. This worthy and zealous topographer has announced the above work to be comprised in four Vols. folio: and I am enabled, from personal knowledge, to say, that his collections are vast; and that he is assiduous and indefatigable in accumulating and analising an extensive mass of materials. He very kindly furnished much original information towards the account of Northamptonshire, in the eleventh Volume of this work. - An Account and Illustrations of the Isle of Wight, one Vol, 8vo.~" The Southern

Coast

[ocr errors][ocr errors]

Coast of England," now publishing in 4to. Numbers.-" The Thames, with Graphic Illustrations," two Vols. 4to, and 8vo. produced by Messrs. W. and G. COOKE, and so highly creditable to their professional talents, would probably never have. appeared but from the excitement and example of the Beauties of England, for which work, both those excellent Engravers executed some of the early plates. It is a pleasing circumstance to the true lover of topography, to contemplate such eminent literary and graphic publications, and to know that the taste for, and the laudable rivalry displayed in them, have originated in a work, which was as humble and unassuming in its origin, as the authors were in circumstances and pretensions.

Respecting the embellishments of this work, it is proper to remark, that, both myself and Mr. Brayley, wished to give subjects of Antiquities more frequently than they were adopted, knowing that such prints were more particularly required by the purchasers;--but this was objected to by the Publisher, who preferred seats and wood-scenery, considering these the principal beauties of the country. From this circumstance, arose the "Architectural Antiquities," and Antiquarian Cabinet," the first of which has been completed in four Vols. 4to. with 270 Plates. The latter work was commenced by Mr. Brayley, and is finished in ten Vols. 18mo. with above 400 Plates.

After the death of the original Publisher, I was requested by the respectable Publisher of this Volume, to write the account of Wiltshire, my native county, to form part of the Fifteenth Volume of the present work; and this portion of the Beauties, I can refer to with some degree of confidence and pleasure, as consisting almost wholly of original information, and being the result. of personal inquiry and examination.

*

“THE BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES," in title and plan, originated in" the Beauties of Wiltshire," two volumes, which I published in 1801, in conjunction with Messrs. Vernor and Hood, apskiing, obeert booksellers

[graphic]

ever, that those vo

I must remark, however, that those volumes have little pretensions to

[ocr errors][merged small]
« НазадПродовжити »