The Countryside
and how to enjoy it

Dust Jacket - front:

This is a lovely old book! It contains over 250 vintage illustrations. The book was published in 1948 by Odhams Press Limited, Long Acre, London. The book measures 6 inches by 9 inches. The dust jacket shows signs of wear with some “chips” and “rips” at the edges but is in fair condition. The front of the dust jacket has a small patch of the printed surface removed (cosmetic). The green cloth cover has an embossed pictorial on the front. The title is in gilt on the spine. The cover shows signs of wear to the edges, corners and to the top and bottom of the spine. The spine is tight and the hinges are strong. The corners of the boards are a bit bowed in. The top right corner of the front cover is a bit “bumped.” The name and address of a previous owner is on the front free end page (small sticker). The pages are printed on good quality paper and show no signs of rips. Exceptions noted, the overall condition of this book is near very good.


Front Cover/Spine


Title Page

Content

  • The Varied Scene by S.P.B. Mais
  • The Farming Year by A.G. Street
  • The Footpath Way by S.P.B. Mais
  • Animal and Plant Life by W. Flower
  • Villages of Britain by I.O. Evans
  • Historic Towns by I.O. Evans
  • Churches and Cathedrals by Park Browman
  • Castles and Abbeys by M. Wilson Brown
  • Old Buildings by Park Browman
  • Ancient Landmarks by M. Wilson Brown
  • Curious Customs and Ceremonies by W.H. Owens
  • What of the Weather by Professor David Brunt
  • On Going a Journey by E.F. Davies

    • Index


    Date information – printed on the final page of book


    Frontispiece – In the midst of the orchards of Kent, Nurstead typifies the English village scene. In springtime, the fine perpendicular lines of the church tower re set off by the prolific blossom of the surrounding cherry trees, some of which have borne rich harvests for over one hundred years.

    Excerpt – Dust Jacket:
    The countryside of Britain is famous throughout the world for its ever-changing natural beauty throughout the seasons, the variety and interest it holds for the nature-lover and all interested in the rural scene and the husbandry of farm and mill and, above all, for the glorious heritage of abbeys, cathedrals, and market towns that makes this land a joy to all who know its countless historic and romantic associations. Here told by nine eminent writers, in text enlivened by hundreds of beautiful photographs, is the story of “this precious stone set in the silver sea” of which Shakespeare wrote and which is the inspiration of countless thousands who carry its beauties in their hearts in the farthermost corners of the world…
    End excerpt


    Top: Sheep clipping on a Surrey farm with the aid of pneumatic shears (partly hidden by wool). The operation usually takes place a the end of May.

    Bottom: Cauliflower parade – an unusual sight on any farm – at Boreham, Essex. Here are some of the 10,000 glass cones which “force” the vegetables for the early summer market.


    Left: The village smith is shoeing a farmer’s horse in the forge situated amid the woodlands of the Sussex Weald. The apprentice takes a keen interest in his master’s work.

    Right: A bridge of stones and small rocks affords the rambler a pleasant means of crossing a stream that flows through the countryside near Carpel Curig, in North Wales.


    Left: Finches
    Right: Tawny Owls


    Common species of fungi


    Left: (Above) Corfe, Dorset, is a splendid example of a village dominated by a castle (now in ruins); while Charing, in Kent (below), is a typical village dominated by a Gothic church.

    Right: At Abinger Hammer in Surrey, and effigy of a blacksmith with a hammer overhangs the main road. The effigy is part of the clock (above) and strikes the hours on a bell. The region was once “worked” for ironstone-hence the name, and perhaps, the effigy.


    These 16th century half-timbered houses, overlooking the River Stour at Canterbury, were once occupied by Hugeunots who fled from religious persecution in France and the Netherlands, and introduced weaving to Canterbury, where it is still practiced.


    Left: The main gateway of Carisbrooke Castle founded in Norman times and refortified at the command of Queen Elizabeth as a stronghold against the threatened Spanish invasion. Charles I was imprisoned in the Norman Keep.

    Right – Line drawing and sample text.


    Left: The fifteenth century Founder’s Tower of Magdalen College, Oxford, is a splendid example of the latest style of Gothic architecture and shows the classical influence of the Renaissance.

    Right – Line drawing and sample text.


    Left: The great columns of basalt forming the famous Fingal’s Cave, on the island of Stafa in Scotland, reach to a height of over 65 feet above sea level

    Right – Line drawing and sample text.


    Left: Choir boys of St. Clement’s Dane, London, at the head of the “Beating the Bounds” procession. Part of this ancient custom consists of beating the parish boundary with willow rods-thus teaching young people to know the bounds of their parish as well as perpetuating a traditional cere4mony

    Right – Line drawing and sample text.


    Left: Village sign which was erected in memory of two sisters who bequeathed doles.

    Upper Right: Schoolboys of Midgley performing a “pace egging” play at Easter. The pay is unwritten but is handed on from generation to generation by word of mouth.

    Lower Right: Villagers of Thaxted in Essex joining in the annual Maytime folk dance. Most of the performers are dressed in white and wave white handkerchiefs.

    Price: $30.00
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    Charles or Jean Milhous
    (216) 402-6587
    Milhous Books
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    Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125

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