DEDICATION. v 



all who were conspicuous for tlieir loyalty, the Marquis 

 of Worcester, in common with the Eoyalist party, had 

 to succumb to intolerant rulers. For while Cromwell 

 enjoyed an income of 2,500 per annum, derived from 

 a portion of his Lordship s princely estates, the Pro 

 tector proudly granted to THE INVENTOR OF THE STEAM 

 ENGINE, a weekly stipend of Three pounds ! 



Unfortunately, the Eestoration of the monarchy con 

 tributed but little to ameliorate his Lordship s sad con 

 dition ; while his enthusiasm led him to sacrifice those 

 personal comforts which his declining years would 

 seem to have absolutely required rather than jeopardize 

 operations depending on his great invention. 



In offering for your Grace s approval this first effort 

 to realize a connected memoir of your Grace s immor 

 tal ancestor, it is unnecessary to dwell on the fact of 

 its matter being chiefly derived from very scattered 

 sources, and often from but fragmentary materials, 

 though in every instance the very best available autho 

 rities have been consulted ; among which, the unique 

 collection of Manuscripts, so freely and obligingly sub 

 mitted for the present purpose by your Grace, being 

 given entire, forms the most valuable and interesting 

 portion. I sincerely regret my own insufficiency to do 

 complete justice to this comprehensive labour. The 

 result of my researches, however, may gratify your 

 Grace s curiosity, and prove interesting in respect to 

 many early family details. And if my own earnest 

 ness of purpose, in prosecuting this attempt, does not 

 mislead me, I may venture to hope, that the Memoir 

 will not only meet with your Grace s favourable recep 

 tion, but prove, at the same time, acceptable to the 

 general public. 



