_LONDON_:
PRINTED FOR G. G. AND J. ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
MDCCXCV.
The Author begs leave to observe, in explanation of the use made of
the plural term in the following pages, that, her journey having been
performed in the company of her nearest relative and friend, the
account of it has been written so much from their mutual observation,
that there would be a deception in permitting the book to appear,
without some acknowledgement, which may distinguish it from works
entirely her own. The title page would, therefore, have contained the
joint names of her husband and herself, if this mode of appearing
before the Public, besides being thought by that relative a greater
acknowledgement than was due to his share of the work, had not
seemed liable to the imputation of a design to attract attention
by extraordinary novelty. It is, however, necessary to her own
satisfaction, that some notice should be taken of this assistance. She
may, therefore, be permitted to intrude a few more words, as to this
subject, by saying, that where the œconomical and political conditions
of countries are touched upon in the following work, the remarks are
less her own than elsewhere.
With respect to the book itself, it is, of course, impossible, and
would be degrading if it were not so, to prevent just censure by
apologies; and unjust censure she has no reason, from her experience,
to fear;--but she will venture to defend a practice adopted in the
following pages, that has been sometimes blamed for its apparent
nationality, by writers of the most respectable authority. The
references to England, which frequently occur during the foreign part
of the tour, are made because it has seemed that one of the best modes
of describing to any class of readers what they may not know, is by
comparing it with what they do.
May 20, 1795.