Vanishing England

Vanishing England by P.H.Ditchfield First published by Methuen, 1910. First American edition by E.P. Dutton, 1910. Frontispiece pen and ink drawing of The George Inn, Norton St. Philip, Somerset by Fred Roe and 133 others. Fred Roe's pen and ink sketches bring the subjects dramatically to life. Chapters on Vanishing Fairs, Stocks and Whipping-Posts, old crosses, old customs etc. A fascinating and delightful journey through fast disappearing English architectural and cultural traditions. describes an England that, even in those balmy pre-war days, was fast disappearing. From the architecture of old country houses, village green cottages and public buildings to traditional country fairs, games and customs, this volume is a mine of information on a now almost completely vanished English cultural heritage. Ditchfield warned against destroying the national heritage, irreplaceable national treasures, and customs. He did not foresee high rise flats or motorways, he hated iron bridges and the 'modern French style'. Beautfully illustrated. Book covers townwalls,streets, castles,churches,mansions,prehistoric remains,cathedral cities,inns, municipal buildings,old crosses,stocks,bridges, hospitals,almhouses,fairs, old documents,old customs, vanishing scenery. "Vanishing England was first published in 1910 and reflects the author's concerns for what he then saw as the decline in traditional English life and customs. Today, some eighty years later, much of what the author wrote about has already taken place." Illustrated throughout with pencil drawings by Fred Roe.