booksellers, of the Poultry. At that time, I believe, there was not an original topographical work published respecting England, generally, excepting, indeed, the "Magna Britannia," in six volumes, quarto. There was also "A Description of England and Wales," in ten volumes, 12mo, 1769, and some folio works, called " Boswell's Antiquities," and "British Travellers," chiefly copied from "Grose's Antiquities," and published with fictitious names, which are only entitled to notice here, to guard the young topographer; as I am justified in saying they are hasty and illiterate compilations, without any attempt at originality, or comparative examination. Like the blinded horse in a mill, each compiler followed the other in plodding, thoughtless, unvaried succession; and thus error upon error has been repeated, and absurdity after absurdity disseminated. "The Antiquities of England and Wales," &c. by Grose, 1772, 1776, only embraced a few objects in the wide range of English topography. It had, however, been popular, and that led the Publishers of the "Beauties" to anticipate equal success in a new publication, which should embrace all the essential ingredients of Grose's work, also of Camden's "Britannia," and be combined with whatever was interesting in the recent local histories, agricultural surveys, general tours, &c. as well as include such original information as could be obtained. Mr. Hood, the acting partner of the firm above-mentioned, readily agreed to take a principal share in our newly-projected work ; and Mr. Brayley and myself commenced a general tour over England and Wales, in June, 1800. The first Number, devoted to Bedfordshire, was published in April, 1801; and from that time

till

topographical or antiquarian merit. They were written under very y unfa vourable and depressing circumstances, and in referring to them, I wish to obtain the most favourable and candid construction from the topographical critic. Mr. Gough, in the Gentleman's Magazine, wrote some harsh, but I believe, just strictures on them. A third volume, to conclude the work, and embrace accounts of such places as are not noticed in the two volumes, is now ready for the press, and I trust is not only better written, but more strictly topographical than the former.

till the conclusion of the Sixth Volume, the publication was continued in our joint names, and with our united co-operation, and exertion. The Numbers, however, did not appear in regular periodical succession; which occasioned frequent disputes between the Publisher and the authors; and probably dissatisfied some of the most eager readers-It should, however, be remembered that the work was not intended to be a mere compilation, nor is it composed of select extracts, as the absurdity of its title of " BEAUTIES,' has been supposed to intimate :*-a large portion of it is original matter, and the parts derived from printed authorities, were carefully analised investigated and acknowledged. This, indeed, must to the topographical reader, and to those who will give themselves the trouble of comparing the particular account of any place, or county, with preceding works. In explanation of one of the delays of publication, Mr. Brayley penned the following address for the wrapper of No. X.

"The present Number has been delayed partly in consequence of my own indisposition, and partly by the absence of Mr. Britton, who, for the sole purpose of obtaining original and accurate information, undertook, in the most inclement season of the year, [Dec. 1801] to make a journey through the counties of Cornwall and Devon, in the former of which he is yet pursuing his researches. It is our most ardent wish to render THE BEAUTIES of England anD WALES, as original, as correct, and as interesting, as any work of a similar nature, and limits, that can ever issue from the press. If, therefore, from the delay of promised communications, (and this is not one of the least inconveniences

The title of "BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND," &c. was retained in deference to the wishes of the Publisher; but the authors were so fully sensible of the inadequacy of that phrase to explain the nature of the work, that they afterwards subjoined the words "ORIGINAL DELINEATIONS, Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive," as a secondary title, and more illustrative of its con tents. The title of "Beauties of England," &c. had been previously adopted in two or three superficial and slight works, which will be enumerated in a subsequent page.

we have to combat,) from indisposition, or, from the time which necessarily elapses in procuring genuine materials, by journeys to different parts of the kingdom, the publication should at any future time, as in this case, be unavoidably protracted, we trustwe trupp that our Subscribers will pardon the delay; and the more especially, because it will never be resorted to, but when it tends to increase the accuracy of the work."

The first six Volumes have been jointly executed by Mr. Brayley and myself; and it is but justice to state, that the greatest portion of their literary composition was from the pen of that gentleman, who, with much care and exertion, endeavoured to render them accurate and original. The principal travelling, correspondence, labour of accumulating books, documents, direction of draughtsmen, engravers, and some other necessary vocations. chiefly devolved on me; and I felt it a pleasure and duty to prosecute my task with zeal and assiduity. At the close of the sixth volume it was deemed expedient that each of us should undertake to write and conduct a Volume alternately; and, by arrangement, the counties of Hertford, Huntingdon, and Kent, devolved on Mr. Brayley, for Vol. VII.; whilst Lancashire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire, came under my direction, for Vol. VIII. The former counties having extended to two Volumes, mine was numbered IX. In the prosecution of this Volume, I was actuated by a favourite maxim, that the writer and reader should perfectly understand each other; that there should be no reserve or ambiguity in the former, nor suspicion or doubt with the latter. A mutual cordiality and confidence should exist, and then the one would pursue his labours with comfort and pleasure to himself, whilst the other would read with additional advantage and delight: besides, in an extensive work, like the present, the author must calculate on the communications of intelligent correspondents; who will not be likely to write freely and fully, unless they are confident that their favours will be properly appreciated and applied. I therefore stated my views and opinions as to the characteristics

of

of the Beauties of England," in the following terms, in a circular letter, to many gentlemen of the counties just named,

"Brevity, perspicuity, and selection, are the most essential desiderata in the present work: which is not intended to inform the veteran antiquary and topographer, but rather to instruct and please the general reader. It is not to be considered merely as a dry, dull, chronicle of facts, but a popular History and Description of the CITIES, TOWNS, CHIEF SEATS, and ANTIQUITIES; with the NATURAL and ARTIFICIAL CURIOSTIES of every county. Its province is to give a pleasing and familiar picture of the geography, statistics, and national peculiarities of England, in the aggregate, and of its parochial characteristics in particular. Such is the idea I have formed of what the work ought to be, and it will be my aim to render the topographical accounts of Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, &c. conformable to this standard."

In regard to that portion of MIDDLESEX, or rather of LONDON, which was written by Mr. Brayley, and in the general work is styled the First and Second Parts of Volume X. but which actually constitute Volumes in themselves-Mr. Brayley has desired me to say, " that (with one exception) the only gentleman from whom he obtained any particular written information, was his respected friend, Thomas Fisher, Esq. For, whatever else appears in those Volumes, up to page 720, of the Second Part, was principally obtained by his own labour, and his own researches. Much oral information, however, was procured during his progress through London, from divers gentlemen, who declined having their names publicly noticed.

"The account of HUNTINGDONSHIRE was likewise drawn up, chiefly, from his own notes; from the Latin Histories of Ramsey Abbey and Ely, published by Gale, in the Decem Scriptores; and from what has been called the Cotton Manuscript,' preserved among Baker's Collections, in the University Library, at Cambridge." Mat

On reviewing the commencement, and early progress of this" work, I cannot but feel greatly astonished at its rapid success

and popularity ;—at the number and variety of correspondents and friends it called forth from several counties, and at the influence it produced on topographical literature. This astonishment, however, chiefly arises from a knowledge that both myself and my co-adjutor were unknown in the republic of letters-nere in very humble stations of life, and consequently without the influence or connexion, calculated to produce those effects. Yet thus circumscribed, we gradually and imperceptibly extended our sphere of communication-increased the reputation and sale of the work, by improving its contents, and by demonstrating a disposition to be sincere, and to impart all the information that was communicated.

Having thus, my dear Sir, detailed all such particulars as sccur to me to be material for publication, I would also furnish you with corrections and additions to the volumes already referred o; but fear that this task would impel you to extend your Introductory remarks much beyond the prescribed limits.-At first, as already noticed, we were very brief; but, in the course of fifteen years, I have made so many additions to each county, that I should feel extreme difficulty in selecting from the mass (such materials as would be deemed requisite by the general reader, and still not be regarded as too prolix for supplementary matter. Many corrections are already printed in the errata to each Volume.

The Introductory Volume, to which it is proposed to annex this statement, I have reason to believe, will be useful and interesting. It is essential to the work, and it was always our inten tion to have written a preliminary memoir; but, in our calculations, concerning the accounts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire, we were certainly much deceived by supposing that such review would make only about half as much again as the letterpress of those counties, and thus constitute a portion of the first Volume. You have very properly decided on making it a distinct Volume, crveno doved blot at

Believe me yours, very truly,
INADJOHN

explainneng 1994 JOHN BRITTON.

Tavistock Place, August 24, 1817. (9)

The