PREFACE.

THE plan used in the compilation of this work is similar to that of several State works given to the public by the author of this publication, which have been well received. The countries and places described are those with whom we, as a people in our business relations, are closely associated. We have almost a daily communication with them, particularly with Great Britain, with whom we are assimilated in our language, laws, manners and customs. To a large portion of the inhabitants of this country it is the home of our ancestors, and, as such, we feel an interest in their history, and in the places where they lived.

We claim, in common with our brethren across the Atlantic, our full proportion of whatever is ennobling in the history of the past. Their heroes, statesmen, philosophers and geniuses are ours also. The Shakespeares, the Miltons, and Bunyans, the Cromwells, and Hampdens, and the Covenanters of Scotland, are our relatives. We feel a similar interest in viewing the spot on which they were born, the habitations they occupied, and the relics they left behind.

sources.

The materials from which this work is derived, are drawn from a great variety of Access has been had to valuable historical works, to examine which, it is necessary to cross the Atlantic. The countries, and the most prominent places described in this volume, have been personally visited; and much of the matter for this work was found in the local histories published in the places described. In the biographical department, much has been extracted from "Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary." The numerous engravings interspersed through the work were made from authentic drawings, part of which were taken on the spot by the author of this work.

While conscious of using every precaution generally adopted in preparing similar works, the compiler does not claim an exemption from the imperfections always attendant on publications where so many names, dates, figures, &c., are introduced. A certain writer defines History as merely "an approximation towards truth." Though this humiliating statement cannot be fully allowed, yet, (such is the imperfection of every thing human,) it must be acknowledged to have some foundation in truth. While it has been the aim of the author to furnish a work interesting to all classes of readers, it has also been his aim that whatever influence it might possess, should be on the side of the great interests of religion and morality.

NEW HAVEN, CONN., Nov., 1854.

J. W. B.

PAGE.

CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS.

38 For apothesis, read apotheosis.

52 For Low counties, read Low countries.

68 For southern, read northern extremity—for iron ware, wire.

70 For sixty-eight, read sixty-seven.

90 For commitatum, Carolo II, tira, ferne, anorum Tyrannic, read comitatum, Carolo I, tria, ferme, annorum, Tyrannice. The first Latin passage may read thus: "April 26, 1616, 14th year of James I, Oliver Cromwell, of Huntingdon, was admitted to the instruction of the Fellows, April 26th, 1616, Mr. Richard Howlett, Tutor." The second entry may be rendered as follows:-" He was a great Impostor, a most abandoned villain, who having, by a horrid murder, cut off King Charles I, of blessed memory, usurped the throne itself, and, under the name of Protector, for nearly five years, plagued the three kingdoms with outrageous tyranny."

187 For mores, read morum.

198 The inverted X should be H.

333 For before the west, stands, read the west front stands.

336 The building containing the varied collections of the British Museum is of the Grecian Ionic order, having a frontage of 370 feet, with a portico in the center with wings at each end.

344 For Perry, read Percy.

350 The London Monument is 202 feet high-it was erected as a memento of the Great Fire which commenced at this place. It has numerous inscriptions relative to the fire, &c. It formerly had on it, one ascribing the calamity to the Catholics: this was obliterated by order of the Corporation in 1831.

364 For port, read part.

403 The house of Col. Gardiner, seen in the back ground, was burnt a year or two previous to the erection of the monument. The walls, however, remain entire, showing its original form.

429 The Latin epitaph is in English thus:-" He was the upright pillar of the church, its shining window, its fragrant incense, its sounding bell.

463 For ridges, read bridges.

Many of the copies and drawings for the numerous engravings in this work were obtained at considerable expense, and part of them are now for the first time published. These may be considered as private property; and it is hoped that this consideration alone, will prevent publishers in this country from taking them without liberty.