TO The Right Honourable CHARLES ABBOTT, M. P. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: SIR, have made, THE exertions which you during the exercise of your important functions, to preserve and renovate the ancient ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTIES OF WESTMINSTER, induce me to hope, that a volume devoted to HISTORICAL, TOPOGRAPHICAL, and DESCriptive DelINEATIONS of that CITY and its LIBERTY, may not be deemed unworthy your notice and regard. By this hope I have been animated in the collection and arrangement of my materials, whilst the condescending politeness which you have shewn shewn in permitting both myself and Mr. J. P. NEALE, our Artist, to enrich and embellish the Work with views and descriptions of your own House, and of such other places as are immediately under your care and government, have heightened that hope into an assurance, that your wonted liberality will be exercised in excusing whatever imperfections may appear to your cultivated taste. The HISTORY and ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES OF WESTMINSTER are closely connected with all that is great and durable in the British Constitution. May I venture to presume, that this humble delineation of them will be acceptable during the leisure hours of a Statesman, whose life has been devoted to the preservation of that Constitution; and who, in the midst of contradictory opinions and sometimes jarring interests, has constantly obtained, from all parties, the appellation of an honest, upright, and impartial Servant of the State; alike faithful to his trust, as a Repre sentative of the People, and as Speaker of the House of Commons, and dignified in his support of of the Crown, as a loyal subject of a virtuous and beloved Monarch? In perfect reliance on your candour, I remain, Right honourable Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant, JOSEPH NIGHTINGALE. Skinner Street, July 28th, 1815. THE |