Chapter I: Preface

In the following pages I have endeavoured to give a brief description of Hertfordshire on the lines of Mr. F. G. Brabant's book in this series. The general features of the county are briefly described in the Introduction, in sections approximately corresponding to the sections of the volume on Sussex. I have thought it wise, however, to compress the Introduction within the briefest limits, in order that, in the Gazetteer, I might have space for more adequate treatment than would otherwise have been possible.

I have visited a large proportion of the towns, villages and hamlets of Hertfordshire, and have, so far as possible, written from personal observation.

I desire to thank Mr. John Hopkinson, F.L.S., F.G.S., etc., for his kindness in writing the sections on _Climate_ and _Botany_; Mr. A. E. Gibbs, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., for his permission to make use of several miscellanies from his pen, and Mr. Alfred Bentley of New Barnet for his courtesy in placing some photographs from his collection at the disposal of Mr. New.

VERULAM,
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA,
1903.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1

I SITUATION, EXTENT AND BOUNDARIES 1

II PHYSICAL FEATURES 2

III CLIMATE 11

IV FLORA AND FAUNA 15

V POPULATION 23

VI COMMUNICATIONS 25

VII INDUSTRIES 28

VIII HISTORY 31

IX ANTIQUITIES 33