Rambles in the British Isles (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ...by rivers. The surface is flat and low, so that in very rainy seasons, before it was properly drained, the water used to flow over it until the whole country became like a great lake. Huntingdonshire, which joins the western side of Cambridge, is the smallest but one of all the English counties. It took its name from the hunting downs in the higher parts of the county. There are in it three lakes, the largest of which is called Whittlesea-mere, and abounds in wild fowl. It is also a favourite place for boating and fishing. Stilton cheese, said to be the richest in the world, is made in this county, and sold at the town from which it takes its name. Its richness is owing to its being made with milk to which a large quantity of cream has been added. Bedfordshire, which lies to the south of Huntingdonshire, is a level county, with low hills here and there. The only valuable mineral which it produces is fuller's earth. Dunstable and its neighbourhood are well known for straw-plaiting; this, and lace-making, employ a large number of women and children throughout the county. Hertfordshire lies to the south of Bedfordshire, and joins Middlesex. It is a beautiful county, rich with sloping cornfields, hedge-rows, orchards, and gardens. A great quantity of barley is grown here, which is made into malt, and sent to London. It also produces abundance of apples. There are also manufactories of silk and paper; and the women and children are much employed in strawplaiting and lace-making. In Hertford, the chief town, is a large school to which the children are sent who are to be educated in Christ's Hospital in London. At St.Alban's is an ancient and beautiful Abbey. Several bloody battles have been fought near these towns. Northamptonshire is a fruitful and...