The scarce first edition of this beautifully illustrated history of the antiquities and natural landscape of Harwich and Dovercourt, in Essex. Based on the unpublished historical work of the antiquary and state official Silas Taylor (1624-78), it was enlarged and revised with a very long appendix by the physician Samuel Dale (1659?–1739), who focused on the natural history of the district. Thanks to his experience as apothecary, he had a thorough knowledge of plants and his annotations elaborate on Taylor’s mentions of local landscape - for instance, he discussed plants that inhabited a local cliff, adding references to other botanic works. Additional sections are devoted to fish and fossils, both - like the notes on plants - superbly illustrated with engraved specimens.