PREFACE I T may easily be believed that this would have been a better book had it been written by another hand, and written years ago while the Whittingham correspondence and many other useful papers were extant, and while there still lived certain men whose recollections might have increased the information, as well as the number, of these pages. But it is not conceivable that any author could be served with greater loyalty and enthusiasm on the part of his printer than I have been by Mr. Theodore L. De Vinne. In his advice and cheerful, untiring labor I have found inestimable help. Of his skill I need not speak. London, September, 1896. A. W. |