_Many of the sketches here assembled were originally printed in the New York Tribune, with which journal their author has been continuously associated, as dramatic reviewer and as an editorial contributor, since August, 1865. They have been revised for publication in this form. Part of the paper on Sir Walter Scott first appeared in Harper's Weekly, for which periodical the author has occasionally written. The paper on the Wordsworth country was contributed to the New York Mirror. The alluring field of Scottish antiquity and romance, which the author has ventured but slightly to touch, may perhaps be explored hereafter, for treasures of contemplation that earlier seekers have left ungathered. [This implied promise has since been fulfilled, in _Brown Heath and Blue Bells_, 1895.]_ _The fact is recorded that an important recent book, 1890, called _Shakespeare's True Life_, written by James Walter, incorporates into its text, without credit, several passages of original description and reflection taken from the present writer's sketches of the Shakespeare country, published in _Shakespeare's England_, and also quotes, as his work, an elaborate narrative of a nocturnal visit to Anne Hathaway's cottage, which he never wrote and never claimed to have written. This statement is made as a safeguard against future injustice._ _W. W._ 1892. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE TO ILLUSTRATED EDITION 9 PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 11 CHAPTER I CLASSIC SHRINES OF ENGLAND 25 CHAPTER II HAUNTED GLENS AND HOUSES 36 CHAPTER III OLD YORK 53 CHAPTER IV THE HAUNTS OF MOORE 66 CHAPTER V THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF BATH 84 CHAPTER VI THE LAND OF WORDSWORTH 94 CHAPTER VII SHAKESPEARE RELICS AT WORCESTER 112 CHAPTER VIII BYRON AND HUCKNALL-TORKARD CHURCH 122 CHAPTER IX HISTORIC NOOKS OF WARWICKSHIRE 141 CHAPTER X SHAKESPEARE'S TOWN 150 CHAPTER XI UP AND DOWN THE AVON 172 CHAPTER XII RAMBLES IN ARDEN 181 CHAPTER XIII THE STRATFORD FOUNTAIN 188 CHAPTER XIV BOSWORTH FIELD 198 CHAPTER XV THE HOME OF DR. JOHNSON 209 CHAPTER XVI FROM LONDON TO EDINBURGH 223 CHAPTER XVII INTO THE HIGHLANDS 230 CHAPTER XVIII HIGHLAND BEAUTIES 238 CHAPTER XIX THE HEART OF SCOTLAND 248 CHAPTER XX SIR WALTER SCOTT 265 CHAPTER XXI ELEGIAC MEMORIALS IN EDINBURGH 287 CHAPTER XXII SCOTTISH PICTURES 297 CHAPTER XXIII IMPERIAL RUINS 305 CHAPTER XXIV THE LAND OF MARMION 314 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS