In Kent from the late-18th century many principle booksellers sold guides to the sights of their own towns and neighbourhoods. The printing and sale of such guidebooks, often illustrated with extra maps and engravings, were important elements in the work of provincial printers and booksellers, bringing a regular income from visitors. In larger places, such as Canterbury, there was strong competition between rival booksellers. Equally, these guides often carried advertisements for local businesses, which makes this category of publication an important source of information for researchers. However, because many publishers preferred not to print the date of publication for fear that their guide would quickly seem out of date, it has been difficult for bibliographers to provide definitive lists of what was published when, and by whom.

"Interesting and useful as all this will be for anyone interested in knowing more about Bayes, this is just part of the riches contained in this book . . . Beyond doubt this book is a work of the highest quality in terms of the scholarship it displays, and should be regarded as a must for every mathematical library." --MAA ONLINE

Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.

Vols. for 1871-76, 1913-14 include an extra number, The Christmas bookseller, separately paged and not included in the consecutive numbering of the regular series.