EXPLANATION

Explanation of the Plan adopted in the Arrangement of the DIRECT ROADS FROM LONDON.

1. It will facilitate explanation, to consider each line of road simply as a line, and the towns through which it passes so many points.

2. Line of Route. The second and third columns of every page contain the line of route to the ultimate point of distance as seen on the opposite and following pages. The first column contains the variations of route to the different points on the line, and also the branch lines out of the great line of road.

3. Variations of Route. These will be seen fully exemplified, at 'Cheltenham' and 'Gloucester,' two leaves forward, where the different routes to those places are shewn in juxta-position, and distinctly referred to by means of the Capital letters enclosed within brackets. See also 'Oxford,' page 2.

4. Branch Lines. The branch lines are referred to, on the line of route, by means of the Italic type. For exemplification: the road to Windsor branches from Slough on the annexed line, where a reference is given to [A] in the first column, under which letter is also given the route to Staines. See further, [B] p. 2, which contains the route to Marlow, branching out of the main line through Burnham.

5. Local Distances. The arched figures (here first introduced into use) shew the local distances to the points d'appui distinguished by asterisks. For instance, on the opposite page, Salt Hill is seen to be 37 miles from Oxford, and Maidenhead Bridge 33. By means of these figures, the intermediate distances also are easily ascertained, as in the above instance, Salt Hill to Maidenhead Bridge four miles. When the arch is inverted, and placed under the figure, it implies that the distance is from the point above. See this exemplified under 'Cheltenham,' page 4.

6. Prospective Distances. At the principal points d'appui, as well others as those to which the local distances are computed, the prospective distances on the line of route are also given, as at Maidenhead, Henley, and Oxford. See also Cheltenham, Hereford, &c. By the aid of these distances, and of the arched figures, the distances from any point on the line may be instantly computed in the mind. For instance, a tourist at Taplow, joining this line of road at Maidenhead Bridge, perceives by inspection that the distance thence to Cheltenham is 73 miles; that is to say, to Oxford 33 as shewn in the column of local distances, and thence to Cheltenham, the prospective distance 40. The italic type here also distinguishes the branch lines; the route to Malvern, for instance, branching out of this line two miles beyond Cheltenham. The prospective distance from Oxford to Malvern is stated to be 56 miles; consequently Taplow to Malvern 89 miles.

7. Distinctions. Market Towns are distinguished by being printed in Capital letters, and those places where Post Horses are to be had, not being Market Towns, by small capitals, as COLNBROOK, SALT HILL. The letters R. and L. signify right and left. The CROSS ROADS are explained and illustrated, page 87.

CROSS ROADS.

The Cross Road in the environs of London, as well as the direct Roads, are many of them connected by the auxiliary lines of communication contained in the three preceding pages; the New Road from Hyde Park Corner (for instance), over Vauxhall Bridge, connecting the Sussex and Kent with the Western and North-west Roads; and the Road to Snaresbrook, on Epping Forest, the South-west with the North-east and Norfolk Roads. The western environs of the Metropolis communicate with the Holyhead, Chester, Manchester, and North Roads, through Edgware, p.84.

The novel and improved Plan of the Cross Roads here adopted, differing entirely from that of every other Road Book, will be easily comprehended from the following brief explanation:-

1. In the arrangement of the roads, every continuous line of route is concentred, as far as practicable, within one opening of the book. See five leaves forward, for exemplification sake, Be [s] 19 to 23, containing the entire line of route from Weymouth to Chester and Liverpool, through Bristol, Hereford, and Shrewsbury, a length of 224 miles; and again, Br [s] 35 to 40, containing the line of route from Exeter to Sheffield, through Bristol, Gloucester, Worcester, Birmingham, and Derby, a length of 238 miles, with branches for Torquay, Teignmouth, and the various watering places on the Devonshire coast.

2. Every continuous line of route, from one extreme point to another, is distinguished by the alphabetical letters prefixed, as by Be, Br, in the routes above re

ferred to. See also A [s] 1, on the opposite page, &c. &c. The first and third columns of each page contain the continuous line, and the middle column shews the branch distances to the points of junction on that line where the roads converge. The utility of this column will be best appreciated by considering the map of England as a mathematical figure, and every continuous line as a right line; in which case the branch lines become either converging lines to, or diverging lines from, the continuous line.

3. The continuous lines of route are subdivided into sections of distance from one principal place to another, thus:-

[s] 1. Aberystwith to Shrewsbury;

[s] 2. Shrewsbury to Derby;

[s] 3. Derby to Lincoln;

as exemplified on the opposite and two following pages; these sections not comprising any particular periods of distance, but terminating at such points d'appui as best comport with facility of reference, and convenience of arrangement.

4. The arched figures shew the distances to and from points d'appui. Thus Montgomery, on the opposite page, is seen to be 54 miles from Aberystwith, and 22 from Shrewsbury. By means of these figures, the computation of distances, generally, is much facilitated: the distance from Newtown to Nottingham, for instance, on the annexed line of route, is seen with very little exertion of mind, to be 111 1/2 miles, thus, Newtown to Shrewsbury 31; thence to Derby 65 1/2; and Derby to Nottingham 15.

5. The general index is so arranged, that reference may at once be had to any required line of route, from any considerable town or watering place. For exemplification, suppose the route from Shrewsbury to Barmouth be required; or Barmouth to Shrewsbury. See idex, under Shrewsbury, which directs to [s] 1 c, where, as seen on the opposite page, the road diverges at Mallwyd to Barmouth, through Dolgelly. On reversing the order of route, and travelling from Barmouth to Shrewsbury, Mallwyd becomes, vice versa, the converging point, where the branch joins the main line.

6. Where there are two lines of route from one place to another, they are placed, as far as practicable, in juxta-position, as on the opposite page, where [s] 1 a shews the route from Aberystwith to Shrewsbury, through Montgomery, and [s] 1 b that through Welshpool.

On travelling by cross roads, it should always be borne in mind that the best roads generally are those which lead to large towns; and though such lines of route may be, occasionally, somewhat circuitous, their circuity is well compensated by the better state of the road, the facilities afforded by the more frequent intercourse of stage coaches, the additional recommendation of good inns, &c. &c.

COMPREHENSIVE?