An extensive note in Fernyhough's hand, laid down at the front of the first volume, reads: "These drawings were done partly in Ireland, and England, as well as on the recruiting Service, at the close of the last important struggle between England and France, and were a labour of 5 years, during a research through Granger's 'Biographical History of England'. Having during my travels had access to some of the most splendid illustrated books in England..." Fernyhough proceeds to identify some of the chief works from which his meticulous drawings are copied. A further inscription in a different hand reads: "The drawings in this book were done chiefly by my Father, Captn. Thomas Fernyhough - Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor. He died Jany. 8th 1844 and was inter'd in the Catacombs under St. George's Chapel ... He never had any instruction in drawing and only commenced these drawings at the age of 40 years. J. R. Fernyhough, 18 Belsize Park, Hampstead."

The drawings represent Kings, Queens, Bishops, Divines, authors, artists, antiquaries and aristocracy, and include a full-page drawing of Samuel Johnson based on Doughty's engraving of Joshua Reynold's famous portrait.