[Illustration: CHELMSFORD HIGH STREET IN 1762. (_Reduced by Photography from the Larger Engraving by J. Ryland._)] THE TRADE SIGNS OF ESSEX: A Popular Account OF THE ORIGIN AND MEANINGS OF THE Public House & Other Signs NOW OR FORMERLY Found in the County of Essex. BY MILLER CHRISTY, _Author of “Manitoba Described,” “The Genus Primula in Essex,” “Our Empire,” &c._ WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. Chelmsford: EDMUND DURRANT & CO., 90, HIGH STREET. London: GRIFFITH, FARRAN, OKEDEN, AND WELSH, WEST CORNER ST. PAUL’S CHURCHYARD. MDCCCLXXXVII. [Illustration] PREFACE. “Prefaces to books [says a learned author] are like signs to public-houses. They are intended to give one an idea of the kind of entertainment to be found within.” A student of the ancient and peculiarly interesting Art of Heraldry can hardly fail, at an early period in his researches, to be struck with the idea that some connection obviously exists between the various “charges,” “crests,” “badges,” and “supporters” with which he is familiar, and the curious designs now to be seen upon the sign-boards of many of our roadside inns, and which were formerly displayed by most other houses of business.