A detailed topographical and historical survey of an English county, describing its size, shape, boundaries, surface features, rivers, and watershed. It examines geology, soils, natural history, climate and rainfall, and their effects on agriculture, woodlands, and special cultivations. Chapters cover population, dialect, settlements, industries, manufactures, and formerly exploited minerals. Historical and antiquarian material traces prehistoric, Roman, and Saxon remains and outlines political and administrative development. Architectural chapters survey abbeys, churches, castles, manor houses and notable domestic buildings, illustrated with maps, diagrams and photographs. The work concludes with communications, transport routes, descriptions of chief towns and villages, and plates that clarify local topography.