countryside companion

I found this old book at our local book fair, and had to buy it after peeking inside. It's called the Countryside Companion (published 1846 by Odhams Press, London, and edited by Tom Stephenson.) Can you imagine, writing a book, and having each page so beautifully illustrated? The page-borders are populated with swallows and willows, owls and waterlilies. The writing itself is sometimes overblown and pompous, and revels in British nationalism but I suppose it is a product of its time and place. I will keep enjoying it for the photography and artwork, for sure.