Chapters on The Country Church, Rural Funerals, The Stage Coach, Stratford-on-Avon, John Bull, The Angler, and more. Washington Irving ( 1783 - 1859 ), born in New York, was the son of a wealthy British merchant who, following a visit to England, published a volume of essays and tales, The Sketch Book ( 1820 ), containing pieces on both English and American life, and thereby earned himself celebrity on two continents. He is widely believed to be the first American author to earn his living solely through his writings and the first to enjoy international acclaim.

Explore the picturesque villages and bucolic landscapes that characterize historic rural England in this charming volume by William Howitt. From farming to festivals, Howitt captures the daily life and vibrant culture of a bygone era, with vivid descriptions and beautiful illustrations. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.