[16] It is more than a negative consolation to me, to have lived to see the
    day, that, although comparatively impoverished, others have
    been enriched by my labours.  When I noticed a complete set of my
    lucubrations on LARGE PAPER, valued at 250_l_. in a bookseller’s
    catalogue, (Mr. Pickering’s) and afterwards learnt that this set had
    found a PURCHASER, I had reason to think that I had “deserved well” of
    the Literature of my country:  and I resolved to live “mihi carior” in
    consequence.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL

Antiquarian

AND

PICTURESQUE TOUR.

The Notes peculiar to THIS EDITION are distinguished by being inserted between brackets:  as thus:—­[]

*** The Index is placed at the end of the First Volume, for the purpose of equalising the size of the Volumes.

[Illustration]

LETTER I.

PASSAGE TO DIEPPE.

Dieppe, April 20, 1818.

At length then, my dear Friend, the long projected “Bibliographical, Antiquarian,[17] and Picturesque Tour" is carried into execution; and the Tourist is safely landed on the shores of Normandy.  “Vous voila donc, Monsieur a Dieppe!”—­exclaimed the landlord of the Grand Hotel d’Angleterre—­as I made my way through a vociferating crowd of old and young, of both sexes, with cards of addresses in their hands; entreating me to take up my abode at their respective hotels....  But I know your love of method, and that you will be angry with me if I do not “begin at the beginning.”

It was surely on one of the finest of all fine days that I left my home, on the 14th of this present month, for the land of castles, churches, and ancient chivalry.  The wind from the south-east was blowing pretty smartly at the time; but the sky was without a cloud, and I could not but look upon the brilliancy of every external object as a favourable omen of the progress and termination of my tour.  Adverse winds, or the indolence or unwillingness of the Captain, detained us at Brighton two whole days—­instead of sailing, as we were led to expect, on the day following our arrival.  We were to form the first ship’s company which had visited France this season.  On approaching our gallant little bark, the Nancy,[18] commanded by Captain BLABER, the anchor was weighed, and hoisting sail, we stood out to sea.  The day began to improve upon us.  The gloomy appearances of the morning gradually brightened up.  A host of black clouds rolled heavily away.  The sun at length shone in his full meridian splendour, and the ocean sparkled as we cut through its emerald waves.  As I supposed us to near the French coast, I strained my eyes to obtain an early glimpse of something in the shape of cliff or jettie.  But the wind continued determinedly in the south east:  the waves rose in larger masses; and our little vessel threw up a heavy shower of foam as we entered on the various tacks.