Title Page: An Excursion to Brighthelmstone, made in the year 1789, by Henry Wigstead and Thomas Rowlandson, Dedicated (By Permission) to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Embellished with Eight Engravings in Aquatinta, from Views Taken on the Road, to, and at that Place. London. Printed (with the Types of Stephenson's British Letter-Foundry,) for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, Paternoster-Row, M,DCC,XC.
Not on view
This title page introduces a lengthy text and eight aquatints devoted to a journey from London to Brighthelmstone (Brighton), together with the latter's chief attractions. When George, Prince of Wales built a summer residence at Brighton, it developed into a popular seaside resort. The text begins: "The following descriptive account...is intended to give those who have not visited that delightfully situated town and its environs, an idea of the pleasure with which a lively and feeling mind will be impressed...Brighthelmstone...is now become highly interesting on several accounts.–The purity of the air, the ever varying prospects of the sea, the excellent accomodation of strangers, and the acknowledged superiorty of the bathing machines... When we also consider that a personage as remarkable for generosity and affability and as delightful of discerning and rewarding merit as he is exalted by birth, has fixed upon this chearful [sic] and salubrious spot for his summer residence, we are not surprised at seeing a multitude of persons of both sexes (the pride and admiration of Britain) following the royal visitor to the English Baiae."
