If this be true of countries generally, and especially of the unenlightened portions of Asia, Africa, and Europe, how much more forcibly will it apply to Great Britain, where the subjects are so copious, and where so vast a field is presented, from which the most idle or heedless gleaner may collect something pleasing and useful. How far my gleanings have been judicious or instructive, must be decided by the taste and judgment of my readers. They will scarcely receive as an apology for imperfections, errors, or inelegance in style, a bad arrangement, an occasional diffusiveness, or an apparent haste to pass over certain matters, the fact, that the observations were penned while the author was travelling from place to place on business, and amidst all the perplexities which it seldom fails to create. Authors should not apologize to their readers. When they venture to place themselves before the tribunal of public opinion, they await its censure or its approbation. It is an act of their own, and they are amenable for its consequences. On the following sheets the author would remark, that they are not the laborious productions of a closet over a midnight taper, on abstruse matters or the highest qualities of intellect, but the fugitive remarks of one who viewed things with something more than common inquisitiveness, and with impartiality. He embraced every advantage of improving the opportunities which were afforded, and these were frequent. The author, then, indulges the belief, that although he has travelled over ground familiar to many of his countrymen, his Letters will, notwithstanding, be found to contain some useful reflections, interesting descriptions, or important facts. Appearance of Liverpool Docks-Walk on the bank of the Mersey, to the Herculaneum Pottery-The Mount-Botanic Garden-Public Buildings- Market for Vegetables and Fruit-Politeness and PAGE. |