Br 4738,80.20 HARVARD LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, PREFACE. 66 Ir was the ambition of Addison to have it said of him that he had brought philosophy out of closets and libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in clubs and assemblies, at tea-tables and in coffee-houses." It is my ambition-I say it, I hope, with due modesty to set the fascinating story of London before the masses of the people, to whom the ponderous tomes which fill the shelves of museums and palace libraries, are as sealed books. The scenes herein described in brief and imperfect language, ought to have a deep and abiding interest for every Londoner-yea, for every inhabitant of these realms, for every English-speaking community in the world. This great town with all its ancient associations, its venerable edifices, its varied memories, is a grand heirloom descended to us from the historical past, of which every Briton should be proud. He who has learnt but a few lessons in the wonderful history of London, sees a glamour in its meanest places. To him every old street, as he paces it, becomes alive with anecdote, and almost every ancient dwelling conveys historical information. We tread on classic soil, upon ground hallowed by innumerable wise and good men long passed away. If what I have here put together should excite to a higher appreciation of London on the part of those who dwell in, or visit it, I shall indeed be proud of my labour. I may be allowed, in conclusion, to add that both text and illustrations (devised by myself specially for this work and protected by the Copyright Act) have been thoroughly revised and corrected to date. HERBERT FRY. que |