7393 OR HOURS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. BY CATHERINE SINCLAIR, DAUGHTER OF THE LATE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART. AUTHORESS OF MODERN ACCOMPLISHMENTS, MODERN SOCIETY, PREFACE. Books were treated formerly like persons accused of witchcraft-either drowned in the waters of oblivion, or burned in a hot fire of criticism; but now, a wide and rapid torrent of literature streams throughout the country, bearing conspicuously on its surface, for some hours, whatever "waifs or strays" may be thrown in, and speedily consigning all to the unfathomable depths of forgetfulness. Scarcely a single living author carries sufficient ballast or anchorage to linger behind his rivals, and to retain his place in the notice of spectators, who are too eagerly watching for what follows to preserve any remembrance of what is past. The very utmost that can be hoped, then, for this humble volume is, that it may be permitted to float like a feather before the eye of an indulgent public during the usual period allotted to new publications, and afterwards to share the fate already awarded to crowds of more deserving contemporaries. Books are all "like poppies spread We seize the flower, the bloom is shed; A moment white-then melts for ever: Or like the borealis race, That flit ere you can point their place,— Evanishing amid the storm." If no works were published but those professedly writ ten for the press, printers might leave off business. Every orator, as a matter of course, declares himself " unaccustomed to public speaking," while every author as regularly protests his antipathy to printing, and throws whatever blame may be apprehended, on those importunate friends whose solicitations are at the service of all who can hold a pen. The consequence is, that we daily read “ Rough Notes," which evidently betray a laborious process of composition; "Slight Sketches," finished with the minuteness of miniature painting; and "Private Diaries," in which the author elaborately describes, for his own exclusive benefit, the profession, pedigree, and personal appearance of his most intimate friends, which there was but little probability of his ever forgetting. The following very miscellaneous journal, accordingly, was written, like all travels, " merely for private circulation," and has been known during several years past, in a form somewhat different, to several lenient critics, who considered their time not unprofitably employed in following the every-day incidents of a pleasant excursion, accompanied by the recollections and remarks which might naturally occur in recalling the scenery of a beautiful and interesting country, so full too of historical associations. Coleridge maintained, that no one could properly appreciate any scenery until he has verified first impressions by traversing it three times; and in that one respect the author. feels competent fo hazard an opinion of Wales, having repeated her excursion there, with renewed enjoyment, as frequently as the poet prescribed. The journal forming the ground work of this volume was written in the months of June, July, and August, 1833. HILL AND VALLEY. RECEIPT TO MAKE A TOUR. Take your carriage--stuff it well-add four horses, or if not to be had, a pair may do. Select two or three agreeable friends-stir them up, and put them all into a good humour. Throw in a light wardrobe, a large sketch-book, and a heavy purse. Keep your purse open at both ends-oil your wheels-put them in rapid motion, and add as many accidents and adventures as can be got. Boil up the whole with plenty of enthusiasm-pour it out to cool in three large volumes-let the scum run off till it be reduced to one-slit it up into chapters, and then put it into the press.-Improved Family Receipt-Book, vol. 7th, Fifty-ninth edition. TO A SCOTCH COUSIN. MY DEAR COUSIN,-Hearing that you are to be a close prisoner all this summer, sofa-ridden in the drawingroom, while we are rambling over every variety of mountain and valley, nothing will compensate better for our long separation, than to take you with me in imagination, by writing according to our agreement "seria mixta jocis," as you classical scholars say, a personal narrative of all our adventures, interspersed with remarkable facts, interesting discoveries, and ancient traditions, all warranted new and original, to be printed and composed by steam, forwarded to you in numbers, price one guinea each, and bound up with your Li |