The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 19, No. 531, January 28, 1832   By: Various

In this volume of "The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction", readers are treated to a wide array of fascinating stories, captivating illustrations, and insightful essays. The content is diverse and engaging, offering something for every reader to enjoy. From thought-provoking articles on current events to light-hearted anecdotes and entertaining poetry, this volume is sure to entertain and enlighten. The writing is well-crafted and engaging, keeping the reader turning pages eagerly to discover what each new installment has in store. Overall, this volume is a delightful read that offers a little something for everyone. Highly recommended for fans of literature, history, and culture.

First Page:

Pontrefact, a place of considerable note in English history, is situated about two miles south west from Ferrybridge, nine miles nearly east from Wakefield, and fifteen miles north west from Doncaster, in Yorkshire. The origin of the town is unknown; and the etymology of its name has been a matter of dispute, in which figures a monkish legend ascribing the name of Ponsfractus, or Pontefract, to the breaking of a bridge, and the fall of many persons into the river Aire, who were miraculously saved by St. William, Archbishop of York. The river Ouse and the city of York, however, put in a stronger claim as the scene of this miracle, and unfortunately for Pontefract, the town is so named in charters of fifty three years' date before the miracle is pretended to have been performed. Still the etymology is referable to the breaking down of " some bridge ," ( pons , bridge; fractus , broken,) but this unravelment is not antiquarian. Camden says, that in the Saxon times, the name of this town was Kirkby, which was changed by the Normans to Pontefract, because of a broken bridge that was there... Continue reading book >>