doubly reliable as a contribution to the antiquarian, topographical, anecdotal, pictorial, and descriptive history of an interesting locality, executed by a writer who is ‘to the manner born.’  We fully hope that Mr. Thomas Vincent, whose name is not unknown in the literary world, will reap his reward of fame and respect from his townsmen, and of fair profit, which his public spirit deserves.”—­The Morning Advertiser.

“‘The Records of the Woolwich District’ deal with all the parishes which surround Shooters’ Hill, necessarily dwelling most fully upon the northern slope.  Of Shooters’ Hill itself, and of all the other suburbs, some novel and attractive tidings may be expected.”—­The Kentish Independent.

“There can be no doubt that such a work, adequately and conscientiously executed, is much needed, and may be of great value.  It has been undertaken by Mr. Vincent, well known as a journalist in the locality, and as the author of that useful directory ‘Warlike Woolwich.’ ...  The printing has been entrusted to Messrs. Virtue and Co., the proprietors of the Art Journal, a sufficient guarantee for its quality.  We are notified that there are over five hundred illustrations to be introduced, including a series of maps and drawings, included in the ‘sealed packet,’ and a hundred and fifty portraits of public persons, past and present. ...  We hope the publication will command the success it deserves.  The object of the author is evidently not mere money-making; he has undertaken the work from an earnest and enthusiastic desire to supply a worthy history of the locality with which he has been for his life connected, and we congratulate him upon the excellent promise of his First Number.”—­The Kentish Mercury.

“The elegance of the illustrations at once attracts attention.  The pictures, not only in their abundance and their interest, but in their exquisite presentment, are really excellent.  Take the first of them, the charming view of ’Pleasant Little Woolwich,’ a steel plate engraved in 1798, and now reproduced by photographic process.  The scene which it presents at a time when the author tells us this brick-covered, hard-working, dingy old town was a pretty village, and actually a fashionable watering-place, to which people came from London to recruit health, as they now go to Malvern and Scarborough, is delightful and refreshing beyond measure.  The whole of these illustrations are indeed full of agreeable contemplation and fruitful in speculation....  He may honestly be congratulated on the product of his labours, which, he tells us, have been his recreation for many years.  We can well believe it, and assure him, if he has any regrets at the impossibility of a pecuniary return, that the satisfaction which his book will give will be a full reward.  Such books seldom pay; they are not expected to do so, and any one may tell that there is no profit