
SEVEN ENGLISH CITIES - By W. D. Howells
ILLUSTRATIONS
A MODEST LIKING FOR LIVERPOOL
SOME MERITS OF MANCHESTER
IN SMOKIEST SHEFFIELD
NINE DAYS’ WONDER IN YORK
VI
TWO YORKISH EPISODES
A DAY AT DONCASTER AND AN HOUR OUT OF DURHAM
IV
A vivid travelogue guides listeners through seven distinct English cities, pairing lively prose with striking illustrations that bring bustling streets, grand cathedrals, and serene riverbanks to life. The author moves gracefully from the industrial vigor of Liverpool to the medieval charm of York, offering keen observations of architecture, local customs, and the ever‑changing landscape. Each stop feels like a personal invitation to explore the character and history that shape these towns.
In Liverpool, the narrative captures the city’s proud maritime spirit, from the imposing St. George’s Hall to the sprawling docks that stretch for miles along the Mersey. The writer’s perspective as an American visitor adds a humorous, sometimes self‑deprecating lens, noting the lively hotel crowds, the noisy tram rides, and the contrast between bustling port life and quiet suburbs. This blend of outsider curiosity and appreciative detail paints a portrait of a city both grand and intimately human.
The journey continues across the English countryside, where rolling meadows, elm‑lined lanes, and historic towns unfold beneath ever‑changing skies. The author’s lyrical descriptions of sheep‑grazed fields, blooming hawthorns, and local market scenes create a gentle rhythm that invites listeners to wander alongside. It’s a warm, observant guide that celebrates the everyday wonders of England’s most iconic locales.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (302K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tricia Gilbert, Eric Eldred, Charles Franks, David Widger and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
Dec 1, 2004
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1837–1920
A leading voice of American realism, he brought sharp social observation and everyday life to the page. Best known for The Rise of Silas Lapham and his influential editorship of The Atlantic Monthly, he helped shape American literature in the late nineteenth century.
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