of his immediate predecessors yet affected the conduct of his courtiers and tainted them grievously. Concerning George IV. there can be no second opinion.
As in the former volumes, so in these, I have omitted as much as possible all reference to politics, save where they are responsible for the actions of kings, princes, and courtiers. No statement is made without authority; and due care has been taken to paint faithful portraits of the various characters introduced. To give a vivid picture of the Court life, neither time nor labour has been spared. For this purpose, I have consulted upwards of five hundred volumes, principally autobiographies, biographies, correspondence, and diaries, likewise manuscripts, pamphlets, newspapers, and the ballad literature of the day.
J. FITZGERALD MOLLOY.