x PREFACE. 



rest and readableness of such narratives being very often 

 in an inverse ratio to their length. 



With the object of saving unnecessary verbal descrip- 

 tions, illustrations, in the shape of maps, plans, and 

 sections, have been introduced wherever practicable ; 

 and in those cases where a representation is given of a 

 bridge, lighthouse, aqueduct, or harbour, it will be found 

 set in its appropriate landscape. Although the dimen- 

 sions of the wood engravings are necessarily small, every 

 attention has been paid to accuracy of detail, most of 

 them being drawn to scale. 



The drawings by Mr. Percival Skelton an excellent 

 and graceful artist have been made in nearly every 

 case on the spot, for the express purpose of this work. 

 Those by Mr. It. P. Leitch and Mr. Wimperis are 

 mostly after original sketches supplied by distant cor- 

 respondents ; and it is hoped that the illustrations gene- 

 rally will be found to add to the interest of the volumes. 

 The whole of the cuts have been executed by Mr. James 

 Cooper, whose accuracy and carefulness in superintending 

 the illustrative department of the work, the author takes 

 this opportunity of acknowledging. 



London, October, 1861. 



