[The Old Pickering Fire-Engine]
[Market Cross at Thornton-le-Dale]
[The Black Hole of Thornton-le-Dale]
[Sketch Map of the Pickering District]
[INTRODUCTION]
Every preface in olden time was wont to begin with the address "Lectori Benevolo"--the indulgence of the reader being thereby invoked and, it was hoped, assured. In that the writer of this at least would have his share, even though neither subject, nor author, that he introduces, may stand in need of such a shield.