PREFACE. The object of this book has been so fully explained in the first chapter, that it scarcely seems necessary to inflict a Preface upon the reader. Yet there are some things which could not well be stated in the body of the work, and which it may not be amiss here briefly to set forth. My purpose has been to present the public in this volume with as complete and faithful a picture of contemporary England as the limits of space and opportunity would allow. That I might do this the better, I have devoted much time to the collection of materials, I have made several visits to different parts of the country, I have conversed with, and lived amongst, many varieties of people. The facts stated. are those of observation and experience, and whatever there is of description in this volume may, at least, claim to be a transcript of what I have seen. While I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible in my narrative of the general condition of England, and in my account of the influences which are at work among us, and which may, perhaps, determine our future, so have I studiously avoided all historical retrospect when it did not appear absolutely necessary for a right understanding of our present state. Thus, too, while criticism and the expression of personal opinion have seemed occasionally unavoidable, I have aimed at being scrupulously sparing of both. Of the plan of the work, I will only here say these words. Those who honor me with a continuous perusal of its pages |