PREFACE. 



^W^HE first edition of this little book was compiled by my 

 father in 1859. The sale was rapid, and in 1861 

 another edition was called for and soon exhausted. 



That no work dealing with the same subject has equalled 

 my father's in scope and completeness has been freely 

 admitted. To obtain a copy although frequent attempts 

 to do so have been made by the public has for many years 

 been impossible. My father's long illness, followed by his 

 lamented death in 1868, doubtless helped to prevent a re- 

 newed issue. 



The approaching visit of the British Association to South- 

 port is an event of importance so great, and is so likely to 

 attract general attention to the town and its history, as well 

 as to promote local interest in all pertaining to it, that a 

 more fitting opportunity could hardly be found for now 

 publishing a new edition. Although the form of the work 

 remains the same, it is hoped that in substance it may lay 

 some claim to be considered much improved. The re- 

 markable, almost unexampled, progress and development 



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