Written by J. Aiken M.D. and published in 1795 there is only one word that is suitable to describe this book ... Stunning. Highlights include street maps and plans of Manchester in 1650 and 1793, a plan of Liverpool (with street names), maps of Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, West and North Ridings of Yorkshire and the northern part of Staffordshire. There are also lots of beautiful engravings to illustrate the text. On the title page the book is described as containing 'it's geography, natural and civil; principal productions; river and canal navigations; a particular account of its towns and chief villages; their history, population, commerce, and manufactures; buildings, government &c. The superb descriptions of the principal places in Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, West and North Ridings of Yorkshire and the northern part of Staffordshire are incredibly detailed and will help you to build up a wonderful image of what life must have been like in the 18th century and before. If your ancestors lived within forty miles of Manchester you will find this book absolutely fascinating.
