Gents Mag 1838 part 2 p.376

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1838 part 2 p.376 who has some other and more important business pursuit, from which he is now and then able for a short time to escape. He is of course anxious to make the most of his time, and should therefore be prepared to observe as many things as possible. Let him remember Miss Aikin's admirable tale of "Eyes and No Eyes." In his capacity of Dryasdust, he has of course acquainted himself with the general archaeology of his own country, and has gained, by an attentive perusal of Rickman, and by turning over the accurate plates of Britton, a competent knowledge of the styles and dates of English Architecture, the heads of which information may easily be written in a fly-leaf of his note-book. He is also a herald, or at least he has read enough of Edmondson to be able to note down any coat of arms that he may observe. He should also be a fair draughtsman, and much time will be saved if he be expert at the use of the camera-lucida. Some smooth thin paper, and a ball of wash-leather, slightly oiled, with some powdered black-lead, will enable him to take accurate rubbings of the sepulchral brasses, or even to trace some of the architectural mouldings, &c. Our traveller will have ample opportunities of profiting by a knowledge of geology, botany, and ornithology, with which branches of science we shall suppose him to be more or less acquainted; and if he wishes to appreciate the skill and ingenuity of ancient carpenters and architects, he must have made some proficiency in geometry, and know something of the strength of materials. In truth, the more universal his acquirements the better; for there is scarcely any kind of knowledge that does not come into play during a ramble through an English county. He must, however, beware lest the worlds of the father of poetry concerning a distinguished pantologist of antiquity be applied to him: "Πολλ ήπιστάτο έργα, κακως ο ηπι-στάτο πάυτα." In many parts of England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales, an etymological knowledge of Celtic is useful. Our antiquary must also be a tolerably active climber, possess a good pair of eyes, and be not afraid of standing in wet feet. Before setting out on a tour, the outline of the history of the district should be gained, with as much information as possible respecting the ancient buildings that it contains. This may be sought in the county history, or, in its absence, in the county collections usually to be found in the British Museum, in Camden's Britannia, King's Munimenta, Grose, Lysons, and the Appendix to Rickman. He will take short notes of sieges, of the erection or destruction of buildings, and of such events as are likely to have left physical traces behind them; but it will be better to postpone research into the general history until his return. He may also, if he can afford it, purchase at the print shops Buck's Views, or any engravings relating to the topography of the district he is to visit. These general notes, forming a sort of epitome of the memorabilia of the district, should be entered into a quarto or octavo memorandum-book, to be referred to before or after a day's work. Detailed notes are to be entered on the spot in a portable clasped field-book, carrying a pencil in a tight sheath, and upon the ass's skin fly-leaf of which are entered various memoranda, such as the dates of different styles from Rickman, sketches of characteristic mouldings or ornaments, abbreviations, forms of arches, and other symbols; of the form and expediency of which the individual is himself a sufficiently good judge. The ordnance sheet for any district may be purchased for a very moderate price, and is a very important addition. It informs you of the principal antiquities, and points out the shortest road to them, and upon it lines of trackway, geological observations, or the locality of particular plants, may be marked down. The map should be mounted, with open joints, to a portable size, and in single sheets at least, if not in smaller divisions, so that no more need be carried than is absolutely required. With the camera-lucida it will be convenient to have a light iron frame, 13 inches by 9, covered with tin-plate, and provided with an open flap of tin-
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