The papers gathered into this series, originally published in various
periodicals, have already been reprinted—the earliest in date more than
thirty years ago; the others, with the exception of two, more recently,
in a volume entitled “Portraits of Places.” They have been here once
more placed together, for the great advantage they will be felt to
derive from the company and support of Mr. Pennell’s illustrations.
Each article is marked with its date, and it is obvious that the
impressions and observations they for the most part embody had sprung
from an early stage of acquaintance with their general subject-matter.
They represent a good many wonderments and judgments and emotions,
whether felicities or mistakes, the fine freshness of which the author
has—to his misfortune, no doubt—sufficiently outlived. But they may
perhaps on that very account present something of a curious interest. I
may add that I have again attentively looked them over, with a view to
any possible amendment of their form or enhancement of their meaning,
and that I have nowhere scrupled to rewrite a sentence or a passage on
judging it susceptible of a better turn.