NOTES from PERSPECTIVE STRIP MAPS in HAMPSHIRE by BAKER, 1802

TITLE PAGE

THE / IMPERIAL GUIDE / WITH / PICTURESQUE PLANS / OF THE / GREAT POST ROADS, / CONTAINING MINIATURE LIKENESSES, / ENGRAVED FROM REAL SKETCHES, / OF THE / CITIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, SEAS, ISLANDS, MOUNTAINS, PUBLIC / EDIFICES, AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS, / SITUATED IN AND NEAR SUCH THOROUGHFARES. / ALSO, / A NEW LETTER PRESS DESCRIPTION / OF ALL THE CELEBRATED / SCENERY AND LOCAL EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE ABOVE-MENTIONED SUBJECTS, / AND INTERSPERSED WITH / BIOGRAPHICAL, CHRONOLOGICAL, AND HISTORICAL ANECDOTES; / AND ALL THE / Important Illustrations that could be attained by the most assiduous Investigation and Survey. / BY J. BAKER, / AUTHOR OF THE PICTURESQUE GUIDE THROUGH SOUTH WALES AND THE MARCHES. / Our Posey is as a Gum, which oozes / From whence 'tis nourished. - SHAKESPEARE. / LONDON: / PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM, / Dean Street, Fetter Lane, / AND SOLD BY H. D. SYMONDS, PATERNOSTER-ROW; / WHITE, FLEET STREET; OTRIDGE, STRAND; RICHARDSON, ROYAL EXCHANGE; TAY- / LOR, HOLBORN; RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD; ROBSON, AND CARPENTER, / BOND STREET. / 1802.

Introduction

ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC

That this work, either from its novelty or humble utility, should have received Royal Patronage, and such distinguished support, through that unhappy period when the arts most suffered, and works of brighter genius failed, claims my most unfeigned and ardent acknowledgements; for in neither of the arts exercised upon it have I even professed superior abilities. I was induced to my description of South Wales, because, during a long residence in that part of the principality, 'I found many of its internal beauties were as little known, and as seldom visited, as the snow-top'd acclivities of the Alps; and my chief purpose was, that my observations might attract to the subject the attention of authors more eminent and more competent to the task.' Since that period, numerous indeed have been the Tourists who have traversed those pleasing mazes of nature and antiquity, and I flatter myself the signals I advanced were not wholly useless. I only wish some of these Tourists had been less tardy in their undertakings, as it would have saved me much unproductive labour. My work was begun upon a very expensive scale, in the days of profound peace, when the arts flourished most; their's in the midst of an exhausting war, and upon plans adapted to the temporary pressure of the times. From these circumstances, some unforseen disappointments, the unexpected advance on printing paper, and other causes, I was disabled from proceeding farther in my first work, than a completion of the two volumes of a Description of South Wales and the Marches, now before the public; and I had recourse to the less arduous and less expensive task that is here offered to the public. In this, my first intention was only to go through a description of those roads which led immediately from London to the Principality, till a happy change of circumstances might enable me to carry on the above undertaking to its full extent; or, failing in that hope, I flattered myself my present production might be acceptable to the Subscribers to the former, in as much as I give descriptions in it of those plates of Landscape Views in North Wales, which I had published and distributed with my Letter-Press descriptions of the South. Thus rendering all the satisfaction in my power to those numerous nobility, gentry, and others, who first favoured, and have still continued to countenance my endeavours, and I already find my purpose so far to have succeeded, that much anguish is removed from my mind. And in this work, I have been encouraged with so many liberal offers from great and respectable families of engraved plates of their seats, in other thoroughfares of the kingdom. It is indispensable with the wish of my friends at large, and my own personal interest, that I should prolong it to these bounds. Should this narrative appear too trifling for perusal, or frivolous for notice, let the weakness be imputed to the ardent wish of proving to my subscribers the nature of their kindness to me, and the high value I entertain of their support; and I can solemnly assure, that my assiduity and anxiety to please shall keep pace with their offices of friendship to the extent of my faculties, both of body and mind.

I cannot conclude without noticing some friendly communications which have been made me, which will amend some of my former descriptions, and which shall be carefully noticed in the additional Letter-Press to be printed for such gratuitous plates as may not immediately appear in the great roads, in that which will be formed for the Cross Roads, or in some other part of the Appendix which I have promised to the work. Also, those errors which I perceive to have escaped my pen in spelling the provincial and other names, shall as far as possible be rectified in an errata, and I humbly hope others will not fail their countenance of such assistance to those subjects, as may render this production more and more complete.