MANNERS, LITERATURE, AND RELIGION OF THOSE COUNTRIES. BY ROBERT GRAY, M.A. VICAR OF FARRINGDON, BERKS. LONDON: PRINTED FOR F. AND C. RIVINGTON, NO. 62, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. 1794 13-122711 PREFACE. THAT HAT thefe Letters were not written from the places whence they are dated will easily be discovered. The fubftance of them, however, as far as refpects local defcription and living manners, was compofed at the time and on the fpots to which they relate. The impreffions of the moment were taken down, and they have fince been corrected and improved to meet the public eye. As near two years have elapfed fince the Tour was completed, it may be enquired why, if the work were thought worth publication, it was not published sooner? The truth is, that the Author, on his return from the continent, had no intention of prefenting his Journal in any form to the public, and was immediately engaged, indeed, in other concerns. When, however, these were fufpended, and he began occafionally to indulge himfelf in the retrospect of an interesting period of his life, it occurred to him that his defcriptions and. remarks might, perhaps, interest attention at a time in which an intercourfe with the continent, for excurfions of pleasure,, is almost cut off; when fome of the fcenes, which the author vifited, are disfigured by recent devaftation, or clouded by the terrors of approaching storms; when he who forfakes England muft mark, wherever he may travel, the track of armies, and behold fufpicion and diftruft, and the influence of evil principles in focieties, where confidence and chearfulness formerly prevailed. The The countries fpoken of in the enfuing pages have, it is true, been repeatedly described; but no one can suppose that they have been fully displayed. The records of their history explain many particulars that have escaped attention. The beauty of their appearance may still be exhibited in fresh colours, and in new points of view. The character of their literature and religion has been flightly touched by travellers; and their general manners afford ample fubject for unhacknied illuftra tion. That the author has judiciously availed himself of the opportunities which he pofsessed to give full information upon the subjects on which he treats, is by no means pretended. He did not collect materials with any fuch determinate view; and in the course of his Tour only noted down thofe particulars which appeared most interesting to him, and which A 3 |