PREFACE. THE rapid sale of the former editions of this little work is a most convincing proof that the editor was not deceived in presuming that an authentic Guide to Warwick Castle and the "Lions" in its neighbourhood would be acceptable to persons visiting those interesting places: a wish to show his patrons he values their favours, has induced him very materially to enlarge the work-his principal effort has been to place before his readers a plain and useful Guide. Warwick Castle needs not the adventitious aid of panegyric to recommend it to tourists: it stands a lone but proud monument of baronial grandeur-a connecting chain between ourselves and those that have passed "adown the gulph of time;" it is ever approached with anticipations of pleasure, and its princely halls and time-worn battlements left with "lingering fond regret." Kenilworth bears about it the wizard's spell; Scott has left his charm around its ivy crowned remains; and the Rev. W. Drake, to whose pen the description is owing, has not allowed it to lose a single charm in his hands. Guy's Cliff! the very name brings back the witchery of youth, and a visit to its charming groves and haunts confirms that witchery. Stoneleigh leads us back to the days of monkish indolence, monkish talent, and monkish devotion; it recalls the era of kingly tyranny, and gives a pleasing picture of the domestic retirement of the present day; displays the beauty of nature, and the cultivation of nature by taste. Charlecote recalls to memory the Bard of Avon, and what proved the cause of driving him into the arms of Genius, to the notice of kings, and left him at his death an undying name. Combe Abbey revives the memory of Elizabeth, daughter of James II, and her dreadful persecutions by the Papists. In fact, the scenery about Warwick is as replete with beauty as it is interesting from its historical associations, which are intimately connected with the greatest blessings of peace, and the greatest horrors of war, in the domestic annals of England. From many sources the editor has drawn his information, and to each and every one he tenders his thanks ; they are, however, especially due to the noble families. at Warwick Castle, Stoneleigh Abbey, and Guy's Cliff; to the Rev. Dr. Stocker, the Rev. W. Drake (by whom the whole of Kenilworth was written), Rev. F. L. Colville, the late W. Staunton, Esq., and several other friends, for information he could not have obtained but through their kindness. SEPTEMBER, 1851. CONTENTS. Introduction-History of the Earls of Warwick-Warwick Castle; - |