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640 2676

1831

V.I

PREFACE. Un

In introducing to the Public the "TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF ENGLAND," it may be necessary to state that, although some few works, bearing a similar title, have been published within the last thirty years, yet no work of sufficient authority, as a book of general reference, has appeared since the time of Camden; the publication, therefore, of a Dictionary, affording a more comprehensive and faithful delineation of the kingdom, had become a desideratum. Of the many local histories and other works, which at the time of their publication might have afforded an accurate account of the places they describe, the greater number having been published long since, and there being several counties and considerable towns of which no authentic history had been given, it was found impossible to compile from existing authorities a Topographical Dictionary in any degree deserving the public patronage. It was determined therefore to make a general Survey of the whole Kingdom, and several gentlemen were engaged to procure, by personal examination and enquiry, the fullest information upon the various subjects contemplated in the plan of the work; and, in order to facilitate their enquiries, and to preserve uniformity in the arrangement of the information, they were furnished with printed questions, embracing every object to which their attention was to be directed.

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The islands of Guernsey and Jersey, with the smaller dependent islands, and the Isle of Man, though not forming integral portions of England, are so closely connected with it, that it was considered that a detail of their history, and a minute and faithful description of their peculiar systems of government, laws, customs, &c., would form an interesting feature in the work with this view gentlemen were sent to visit those islands, and were for many months employed in collecting the requisite information, and in revising and correcting the proof sheets on the spot.

Previously to the commencement of the present undertaking, a clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of Ashby de la Zouch had projected a work somewhat similar; the materials for which he proposed to collect by transmitting, through several peers of the realm and members of parliament, printed queries to the officiating clergymen throughout the kingdom; but, finding that his letters were only partially answered, and that the present publication upon a more extensive plan was in progress, he relinquished his design, and transferred to the Proprietors more than three thousand letters, which he had received, containing much original and useful information.

It was at first intended to confine the plan of the work to a topographical and statistical account of the several places; but, considering that a summary of the history of such as either are, or have been, of importance, would increase its value, and render it more complete, it was determined to introduce a concise narrative of the principal events which have marked their progress from their origin to the present time. To effect this, several other gentlemen were employed at the British Museum, the London Institution, and other libraries, to select from authentic records and manuscripts the most important occurrences in the history of each place.

To render the account of every town and place of importance as correct as possible, prior to its being finally put to press, proof sheets were forwarded to those resident gentlemen who had previously furnished local information, in order that, in their revisal of them, they might introduce any changes which had subsequently taken place, or improvements that might be at that time in progress: these were in general promptly examined and returned, but in some instances inevitable delay was occasioned by the absence of the parties to whom they were addressed.

Though this essential precaution may have retarded the publication, it has conduced materially to the accuracy, of the work. For a similar reason, the time employed in the Survey has been longer than was at first anticipated; it having been thought advisable that the persons engaged in that arduous and important service should protract the period originally prescribed for their researches, rather than compromise the interests of the work by omitting to avail themselves of every possible source of intelligence. And here the Proprietors beg to return their unfeigned thanks for the kind attention uniformly manifested, and the valuable information liberally communicated, to their agents, during the three years they were employed in their pursuits; and gratefully to acknowledge the prompt and powerful assistance received from the resident nobility, gentry, and clergy, and persons holding official situations, many of whom have transmitted original manuscripts, containing much valuable information never before published.

It may be necessary to state that, in the arrangement, all places having the same general name are classed together according to the alphabetical order of their distinguishing epithets,-as Norton (King's), Norton (South); and always precede those of which the name is a compound term,—as Norton-Conyers, Norton-Lindsey, &c., which follow in the same order; but when, as in some instances, it is difficult to ascertain which is the primary and which the adjunct term, if the first occurring in the alphabetical order be not the proper name of the place, a reference is given to the other name, under which the description will be found.

For the greater facility of reference, the following arrangements have been adopted. First, with respect to COUNTIES:-the name, and whether an inland or maritime county,-its relative situation, superficial extent in square miles and statute acres, and population, according to the census of 1821;-historical summary;-province, diocese, archdeaconries, and deaneries;-number of parishes, stating how many are rectories, vicarages, and perpetual curacies;—lathes, rapes, hundreds, or other civil divisions of a like kind, but differing in name;-cities, boroughs, sea-ports, corporate and market towns;— courts of assize and general quarter session, and where held ;-number of acting magistrates;-amount of parochial rates, and the portion assigned for the relief of the poor;-climate, agriculture, soil, and the quantity of land devoted to tillage and pasture;-predominant breeds of cattle;—extent of fo

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rests, woods, commons, marshes, lakes, &c.;—geology;-manufactures and commerce;-navigable rivers, canals, and railways;-principal turnpike roads; -Roman stations and roads;-encampments and other relics of antiquity;— remains of religious houses; ancient churches and fonts;-ancient castles;principal modern seats;-mineral springs, and natural curiosities.

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Secondly, in CITIES, BOROUGHS, and CORPORATE and MARKET TOWNS :name and situation ;-distance and bearing from the county town and from London;-population, according to the census of 1821;-origin, and etymology of name;-historical summary;-local description;-scientific and literary institutions;—places and sources of amusement;-commerce, trade, and manufactures;-markets and fairs;-municipal government, of what officers composed, and when and how chosen ;-privileges and immunities, courts of justice, prisons, &c. ;— parliamentary representation, elective franchise, and when granted, number of electors, and how they obtain their freedom, returning officer, and the prevailing influence;-ecclesiastical and religious establishments;-nature of the livings;—in what archdeaconry and diocese, or, if of exempt jurisdiction, to whom the peculiar belongs ;-amount at which the living is rated in the king's books;-endowment, whether by private benefaction, royal bounty, or parliamentary grant,-patron,-tutelar saint and architectural description of the churches;—dissenting places of worship, and of what denominations ;-scholastic and charitable foundations and endowments;-benevolent institutions ;-ancient monastic establishments, with the amount of revenue at the dissolution ;-antiquities;-mineral springs ;-natural phenomena;-eminent natives and residents;-title, if any, which the place confers, and on what family.

Thirdly, in PARISHES:-name and situation;-distance and bearing from the nearest market or post town ;-chapelries, townships, &c., which they comprise ;-population, according to the census of 1821;-nature of the living;—the archdeaconry and diocese in which it is included, and, if of exempt jurisdiction, the peculiar court to which it belongs;-amount at which each living is rated in the king's books;-endowment by private benefaction, royal bounty, or parliamentary grant ;-patron ;-tutelar saint and architectural description of the church;―dissenting places of worship, and of what denominations;-schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions;-monastic establishments, encampments, relics of antiquity, and miscellaneous information.

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