Wilson, Derek A.MareMagnum
[Cromwell, Thomas]Biblio.com
THE IRISH TOURIST OR EXCURSIONS THROUGH IRELAND. PROVINCE OF LEINSTER. VOL. 1 and VOL. 2
182188609London England: Longman & Co.; Printed by P. Youngman 1821. First Edition. Leather-bound. Very Good. 18mo. 6.4 in. x 4 in. Volume I: pp. 216. Volume II: 216. Both volumes illustrated with engraved frontis and title page; 26 additional full-page engraved plates to volume I and 46 additional engraved plates to Volume II. Rich red morocco boards with floral frame in gilt and in blind to fronts and backs. Gilt title floral decoration and four raised bands to spines. Publisher's gilt edges. Rubbing to edges and corners; two corners just showing. Gilt dentelles. Previous owner's bookplate to front free endpapers. Previous owners signature dated 1851 to front flyleaf of Volume II. Touch of spotting to title page of volume II and engraved plates. Spine and hinges tight; bright interior. Thomas Cromwell 1792-1870 worked for Longman the publisher before becoming a unitarian minister. He was an enthusiastic antiquary and besides several other works wrote the text to accompany the engraved views for the series Excursions through England and Wales Scotland Ireland. <br /> <br /> The Excursions through Ireland was planned as a 12 volume work to be published in monthly numbers which was to cover the entire island and to contain 600 engravings later reduced to 400. In the event interest was insufficient and after two volumes had been published the work began to experience difficulties although it did struggle on to complete a third volume with a reduced complement of plates before collapsing. <br /> <br /> The scope and method of the work is described on the wrappers of the parts. It notices that most works on Ireland had dealt both in text and illustration with a restricted highly repetitive range of places mainly the principal towns and cities. "A work like the present therefore comprising the topography statistics history and antiquities of the whole country has become imperatively necessary. The editor will be an actual visitant to every place he describes; and his manuscript will be submitted to the inspection of gentlemen whose local knowledge as residents and antiquaries is indisputable previously to its issuing from the press. It should be noticed also that the work will by no means be found a dry detail of sites buildings ruins agricultural produce &c; but that it will be the editor's chief endeavour to render it an image of the country and the people it portrays - luxuriant wild original and interesting - all in no common degree" <br /> <br /> The first volume focuses on Dublin city and the second explores the villages and towns of Cos. Dublin Louth Meath Westmeath Kildare and Longford. Each volume has its own separate detailed index. <br /> <br /> The plates softly executed line engravings mainly after drawings by the distinguished Irish antiquarian and artist George Petrie provide particularly in the proof state in these volumes an excellent view of the contemporary landscape villages antiquities bridges &c. Bradshaw 7808. Longman & Co.; Printed by P. Youngman unknown
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