In presenting to the Public the first part of this comprehensive work, embracing the southern division of the Kingdom, the Proprietor indulges a hope, that while conveying information, he will be found in some degree to have contributed to the amusement of the traveller.

The gratification derived from an excursion of pleasure does not always terminate with its performance, but is often produced by reflections which naturally arise on a subsequent review of past occurrences or remarkable objects; and which the peculiar construction of this work is eminently calculated to assist.

In contemplating a new Road, we feel enlivened by anticipation; in the recollection of an old one, we are led to reflections that equally interest; and a recurrence to these pages will immediately present to the reader’s imagination the identical spot, or well known inn, which from a variety of incidents that occur in the prosecution of a journey, whether the remembrance be attended with pleasure or accompanied by a feeling of regret, never fail to leave an indelible impression on the mind.

It has been justly remarked by an eminent Geographer[1], that the Rivers of England have never yet been delineated; the same observation may be applied with equal truth, though still greater regret, with respect to its Roads, which (on a large scale) yet remain to be illustrated; how far the present work is likely to succeed in supplying the latter deficiency, it will remain for the public to decide. It is an object the Proprietor has long had in contemplation, and has thence been brought to greater perfection from an attentive observation of circumstances peculiarly connected with the subject, both in regard to the alteration of old, and the formation of new Roads, which, by avoiding hills and shortening distance, will be found to afford such facilities to travelling as are alone to be experienced on this island: accurately to delineate improvements so extensive, and which will in vain be sought in any other publication, are the pages of this work devoted.

To comment on the superiority of the method of delineation here adopted were superfluous at the present time, when the Proprietor’s pretensions may be decided by comparison with the performances of predecessors in a similar course, and when indeed he feels confident of having thus far accomplished an undertaking, which, whether as referring to originality or execution, is considerably more entitled to attention than any known production of its kind; combining means so ample and illustrative, the Traveller is in possession of information nearly equal to a bird’s-eye view of the country. The Seats of the Nobility and Gentry are faithfully described, the names of their several Proprietors have been carefully attended to, and the arrangement of the whole so constructed as to render the work at once clear and comprehensive. Simplicity, joined to a strict accuracy, has been his chief aim, and he is unconscious of having omitted any thing which could have contributed to render the whole complete.