These letters were written in the 1840s by an
American. Those describing people and places in the British Isles have
been extracted here as they give interesting insights into this period. You can
download the complete book at
Project Gutenberg.
To the Reader.
The letters composing this volume were written at various times,
during the last sixteen years, and during journeys made in different
countries. They contain, however, no regular account of any tour or
journey made by the writer, but are merely occasional sketches of what
most attracted his attention. The greater part of them have already
appeared in print.
The author is sensible that the highest merit such a work can claim,
if ever so well executed, is but slight. He might have made these
letters more interesting to readers in general, if he had spoken of
distinguished men to whose society he was admitted; but the limits
within which this may be done, with propriety and without offense, are
so narrow, and so easily overstepped, that he has preferred to abstain
altogether from that class of topics. He offers his book to the public,
with expectations which will be satisfied by a very moderate success.
New York, April, 1850.
Contents.
Letter XVIII.--A Voyage to Liverpool.--Mountains of Wales.--Growth
of Liverpool.--Aspect of the Place.--Zoological Gardens.--Cemetery among
the Rocks.--Ornamental Cultivation.--Prince's
Park.--Chester.--Manchester.--Calico Printing.
Letter XIX.--Edale in Derbyshire.--A Commercial
Traveller.--Chapel-en-le-Frith.--The Winnets.--Mam Tor.--Heathy
Hills.--The Lark.--Caverns of the Peak of Derbyshire.--Castle of the
Peverils.--People of Derbyshire.--Matlock.--Derby.
Letter XXI.--The Parks of London.--Their Extent.--Want of Parks in
New York.--Sweeping of the Streets.--Safety from
Housebreaking.--Beggars.--Increase of Poverty.
Letter XXII.--Edinburgh.--The Old Town.--The Castle.--Solid
Architecture of the New Town.--Views from the different
Eminences.--Poverty in the Wynds and Alleys.--Houses of Refuge for the
Destitute.--Night Asylums for the Houseless.--The Free Church.--The
Maynooth Grant.--Effect of Endowments.
Letter XXIII.--Fishwomen of Newhaven.--Frith of Forth.--Stirling.--Callander.--The
Trosachs.--Loch Achray.--Loch Katrine.--Loch Lomond.--Glenfalloch.--Dumbarton.--The
Leven.
Letter XXIV.--Glasgow.--Its Annual Fair.--Its Public Statues.--The
Free Church.--Free Church College.--Odd Subject of a Sermon.--Alloway.--Burns's
Monument.--The Doon.--The Sea.--Burns's Birthplace.--The River Ayr.
Letter XXV.--Voyage to Ireland.--Ailsa Craig.--County of
Down.--County of Lowth.--Difference in the Appearance of the
Inhabitants.--Peat-Diggers.--A Park.--Samples of different Races of
Men.--Round Towers.--Valley of the Boyne.--Dublin.--Its
Parks.--O'Connell.--The Repeal Question.--Wall, the Artist.--Exhibition
of the Royal Hibernian Society.
Letter XXVI.--Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell.--Humanity and Skill.--Quiet
Demeanor of the Patients.--Anecdotes of the Inmates.--The Corn-law
Question.--Coleman's Improvement on the Piano.
Letter
LI.--A Visit to the Shetland Isles.--Highland Fishermen.--Lerwick.--Church-goers
in Shetland.--Habitations of the Islanders.--The Noup of the Noss.--Sheep
and Ponies.--Pictish Castle.--The Zetlanders.--A Gale in the North
Sea.--Cathedral of St. Magnus.--Wick.