
audiobook
A lively patchwork of memories, this volume weaves together the author’s personal observations with a treasure trove of anecdotes, sketches and contemporary prints. Arranged chronologically from the mid‑eighteenth century onward, the pages capture the hum of London’s streets, the bustle of markets, the quirks of artists, and the fleeting moments of everyday life. The author’s candid voice treats each fragment—whether a portrait of a famed actor or a sketch of a rain‑soaked alley—as a small debt owed to the public, inviting listeners to linger over the details.
The accompanying illustrations, drawn from period engravings and original etchings, bring the narrative to life, offering visual snapshots that complement the prose. Though the collection is eclectic—a true “salmagundi” of recollections—it is bound by a genuine curiosity about the era’s culture and personalities. Listeners will find a charming, informative stroll through history, perfect for a quiet afternoon when the rain taps at the window.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (393K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by MWS and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2017-05-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1766–1833
Best remembered as "Antiquity Smith," this lively London engraver and antiquarian turned the streets, characters, and vanishing corners of his city into books that still feel vivid today. He also worked at the British Museum and wrote a famously sharp life of the sculptor Joseph Nollekens.
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