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PREFACE
THE journey described in
the following pages is over a route more familiar to the general reader
than are the countries which have been hitherto visited by Frank and
Fred; but it is hoped that those who have been following those youths in
their wanderings will find their present tour no less interesting than
its predecessors. The Boy Travellers have kept a careful record of what
they saw and heard; have been studious in history and geography;
observed closely the manners and customs of the people among whom they
travelled; and, altogether, have presented us with an interesting
picture of the British Isles as they found them. An excellent addition
to their narrative will be found in what we have gleaned from the mother
and sister of Frank, who accompanied the youths in this expedition. It
was the first journey abroad of Mrs. Bassett and her daughter Mary, and
we are certain that the boys and girls who peruse this volume will be
greatly entertained with their comments upon everything that came under
their observation.
The plan pursued in the preparation of previous volumes of the “Boy
Travellers” series has been followed in the present one. Perhaps it will
be found that Doctor Bronson is less conspicuous than heretofore; this
arises from the fact that Frank and Fred may now be regarded as veterans
of travel, and have less need of their accomplished mentor than in
former journeys. They have become authorities of themselves, and
especially so when endeavoring to answer the numerous questions
propounded by Mary, or to dispel some of the illusions into which Mrs.
Bassett had fallen. We will leave our young readers to judge of the
fitness of the much - travelled youths to undertake the care, the
escort, and the instruction of the amiable woman and the vivacious and
intelligent girl who accompanied them on their roundabout way from New
York to London.
For the historical matter that has been introduced here and there in the
volume the author has taken great care to insure accuracy; should any
errors be discovered, he trusts that they may be regarded as arising
from a conflict of authorities rather than from neglect. In several
instances discrepancies have been found in historical data; in such
cases preference was given to those which were of greatest weight, or
were corroborated by other events.
As in previous volumes, the author has made use of the work of other
travellers over the same ground, in addition to the results of his own
observations in several visits to the countries described. Nearly all
these authorities have been quoted in the text of the book, and their
repetition here is unnecessary.
Indebtedness is also acknowledged to the liberality of Messrs. Harper &
Brothers, who have kindly allowed the use of engravings that appeared in
previous publications of their house.
With this brief preface the narrative is submitted to the hands and eyes
of critics and readers, young and old, with the hope that it may enjoy
the kindly reception accorded to other accounts of the travels of Frank
and Fred.
T. W. K.
New York, July, 1890.
Downlad
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