First published in January 1851 by Richard Bentley, this book is an account of a walking tour in the summer of 1850 by Wilkie and his friend Henry Charles Brandling who contributed the 12 original lithographs which illustrate it. Originally issued in brown blindstamped boards with gilt title, author and publisher on spine.

The title page of the first edition. The reference to 'The Author of "The Life of William Collins, R.A.;" "Antonina," &c.' is a little disingenuous - at least the '&c' is. Those were his only two published books and only one earlier piece in a periodical has been identified.

The quote is from The Winter's Tale IV 3. At the end of the scene Autolycus sings

Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way,
And merrily hent the stile-a:
A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile-a.

 


All material on these pages is © Paul Lewis 1997-2000