XVI PREFACE. 



and I beg to return my sincere thanks to all contributors 

 for the very numerous and interesting communications with 

 which I have been so generously supplied. 



To Mr. Alexander Fussell, for the ability, invention, 

 and good taste which have enabled him to give truth of 

 character, variety, and effect to nearly five hundred of the 

 drawings on wood here employed, my best acknowledg- 

 ments are due ; and more particularly so to Mr. John 

 Thompson and his sons, for the skill, the zeal, the success, 

 and I may add the pleasure, with which they have la- 

 boured throughout this very long series of engravings ; 

 while the attractive appearance of the work has been 

 greatly increased by the care and attention bestowed on 

 the printing at the establishment of Messrs. Bentley, 

 Wilson, and Fley. 



Lastly, I beg to express my gratification, and record my 

 grateful thanks to all my liberal friends and subscribers 

 for the encouraging opinions, and the valuable support, 

 with which these volumes have been received. 



Ryder Street, St. Jame?, 

 May, 1843. 



