ADVERTISEMENT. THE following volumes were promised to the public, early after my return from England to the United States, some months ago. It was my intention, before putting the work to press, to remodel the letters contained in it, and to embrace in them, sentiments and impressions on many points coming under the title I have chosen, as well as on the state of politics, morals, and religion in the United Kingdom,which had been purposely omitted, in my correspondence with America, till the observations of the entire tour should give me full confidence in their truth and correctness. Orders from Government, however, for immediate duty in the office I hold in the Naval Service, rendered this impracticable; and good faith to the gentlemen who are my publishers, made it necessary to print from the manuscript in an unaltered form. One volume only could be hastily gotten through the press before I left the United States; and the second, copied rapidly while crossing the Atlantic, is now despatched to the compositor, without the advantage even of a reperusal.—A statement of circumstances in cumbent on me to make, in explanation of the delay which has occurred in the appearance of these volumes, if not in apology for the matter and manner of their contents. My companion in the travel of the summer, it will be perceived, was Captain Bolton, of the Navy. It was under the command of this gentleman, as Captain Finch, that in the U. S. Ship Vincennes, I made the voyage of the world, of which an account has been given to the public. Circumstances have recently occurred to induce him to the resumption, by act of Congress, of an ancestral surname. It is by the appellation of Bolton only, that he will hereafter be known; and I have, therefore, made use exclusively of it, in alluding to him, though at the time the letters were written, the change had not taken place. In availing myself of the present opportunity of assuring my readers, that I am not insensible to the kindness which they have shown towards the volumes which I have previously ventured to publish, I have only to regret that the work now placed in their hands-from the widely different spheres of observation on men and things in the different cases cannot, like those which have preceded it, unfold in its details the merits of any subject of special interest to the hearts of the philanthropist and Christian, or embrace in its direct tendencies the moral good and melioration of my fellows. U. S. SHIP DELAWARE 74, At Sea, Sept. 10th, 1833. CONTENTS. DEPARTURE FROM THE UNITED STATES. Philosophy of a Sailor's love for the Ocean-Fondness of man COASTING OFF IRELAND AND WALES. First sight of Land-Light-House on Cape Clear-Beautiful object in its associations-Old Head of Kinsale-Wreck of the Albion-Reminiscences of her departure from New York-Scenery near the Cove of Cork-Rostellan Castle, a seat of the Marquess of Thomond-The Tuscar Light- Entrance of the Mersey-Scenery on the River-Approach to Liverpool-General aspect of the City-Docks and Pier- British and American Pilots-Captain Bolton-Hon. Martin EMBARKATION OF HON. MARTIN VAN BUREN, AND GENERAL Breakfast at Richmond Hill-Value of Land-Intemperance, its prevalence in Liverpool-Embarkation of Mr. Van Bu- English village-Country inn-Arrival at Chester-General WORSHIP AT THE CATHEDRAL, AND VISIT TO EATON HALL. The Sabbath-Description of the Cathedral-Its antiquity— Worship and Sermon-Rev. Mr. Law-Rev. Mr. Thorpe -Drive to Eaton Hall-New bridge-Scenery in the Park -Coup d'œil of the edifice-Entrance hall-Chapel-Mar- JOURNEY FROM CHESTER, AND ACCOUNT OF BIRMINGHAM. Inn at Birmingham-Ruse of the Chambermaid-Travelling by coach-Roads-Coachman and Guard-Beauty of the Country-English Cottages-Beeston Castle-Night scene at Wolverhampton-General appearance of Birmingham- Show shops of Mr. Jones and Mr. Thomason-Warwick Departure from Birmingham-Travelling by post-Its com- forts and luxury-Disadvantages to a stranger in compari- son with the coach-Arrival at Coventry-Antiquity of houses-and narrowness of the streets-Beauty of its stee- RUINS OF KENILWORTH, AND WARWICK CASTLE. Spires of Coventry-First impressions at Kenilworth-De- scription of the Ruins-Richness and beauty of Warwick- shire-Arrival at Warwick-Church of St. Mary-Ladies' Chapel-Tomb of Richard of Warwick-The Castle-Its general effect-Uncourteous Cicerone-The Hall-Bou- |