A book of the west. Volume 1, Devon

LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE THE TRAGEDY OF THE CÆSARS THE DESERT OF SOUTHERN FRANCE STRANGE SURVIVALS SONGS OF THE WEST A GARLAND OF COUNTRY SONG OLD COUNTRY LIFE YORKSHIRE ODDITIES FREAKS OF FANATICISM A BOOK OF FAIRY TALES OLD ENGLISH FAIRY TALES A BOOK OF NURSERY SONGS AN OLD ENGLISH HOME THE VICAR OF MORWENSTOW THE CROCK OF GOLD

SWEET HAY-MAKERS
A BOOK OF THE WEST BEING AN INTRODUCTION TO DEVON AND CORNWALL
BY S. BARING-GOULD
VOL. I. DEVON
WITH THIRTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS
METHUEN & CO. 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. LONDON 1899

In this Book of the West I have not sought to say all that might be said relative to Devon and Cornwall; nor have I attempted to make of it a guide-book. I have rather endeavoured to convey to the visitor to our western peninsula a general idea of what is interesting, and what ought to attract his attention. The book is not intended to supersede guide-books, but to prepare the mind to use these latter with discretion.
In dealing with the history of the counties and of the towns, it would have swelled the volumes unduly to have gone systematically through their story from the beginning to the present; it would, moreover, have made the book heavy reading, as well as heavy to carry. I have chosen, therefore, to pick out some incident, or some biography connected with the several towns described, and have limited myself thereto.
My object then must not be misunderstood, and my book harshly judged accordingly. There are ten thousand omissions, but I venture to think a good many things have been admitted which will not be found in guide-books, but which it is well for the visitor to know, if he has a quick intelligence and eyes open to observe.