X PREFACE 



for sometimes the date is not forthcoming at all either 

 in the English or in the French ' Stud Book,' sometimes 

 the two authorities differ, and the preference given had 

 to be determined by circumstances. Opportunity, how- 

 ever, may be here taken for saying how much inferior 

 the French work, though undertaken by a Commission 

 appointed with the usual flourishes by a Government, 

 is [me judice) to the English, the outcome of private 

 enterprise. 



Lastly, let me hope that in speaking of persons, 

 living or dead, I have said — as I certainly meant to say 

 — nothing offensive or even disrespectful ; and that as 

 regards inevitable errors they may be found to be as 

 few as could be expected in so laborious, so factful, so 

 figureful, so nameful, so dateful, so diversified a work, 

 designed and executed by a single unassisted and un- 

 protected male. 



Leamington : Oct. 7, 1886. 



