The order Scouring Of The White Horse by Thomas Hughes Published 1859 by Ticknor & Fields Boston Illustrated by Richard Doyle Antiquarian Book

An interesting novel focusing on the White Horse located in Uffington, United Kingdom entitled, 'The Scouring Of The White Horse; Or, the Long Vacation Ramble of a London Clerk', by Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), and published in 1859 by Ticknor and Fields, Boston. Thomas Hughes was an English lawyer, politician, judge, and author, best known for his novel Tom Brown's School Days, in which he first mentions the White Horse.
There are many black and white illustrations by artist Richard Doyle throughout the book.

The White Horse is the oldest of the English chalk figures, dating between 1400 and 600 BCE. It was created by removing turf and topsoil to reveal the chalk layer below, leaving trenches. 'Scouring' refers to the repairing and cleaning of the chalk lines, the work of which would be done by the local folks. They made it a festive occasion in which there were games, competitions, and the drinking of beer. Hughes hails from Uffington and his tale is a fictionalized recounting of an 1857 scouring event he attended, of the White Horse.

The hardcover book is covered in mottled brown and beige paper with a beige cloth spine. The overall condition is fair with wear to the covers and corners as well as a torn frontispiece protective tissue, spots and staining throughout of the paper, and the remains of torn labels on the back covers. There is book plate on the inside front cover from 'The Public Library of New London, with a number -H8742. The previous owners name is written on the title page Horace Green. The book measures; 4 3/4" x 7".

A nice copy of a fascinating tale about a White Horse created over three thousand years ago.

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