PREFACE 



To the vast majority of my fellow countrymen 

 — indeed, I think I may safely say of the Anglo- 

 Saxon race — the name of Reginald Drake Biffin 

 is no doubt by this time a familiar household 

 word. To preface a volume of his writings with 

 anything resembling a formal introduction may 

 therefore be regarded not only as a work of 

 supererogation but also as a piece of unpardon- 

 able editorial impertinence. It is, however, 

 always possible (though admittedly unlikely) 

 that there still exist in certain obscure out-of- 

 the-way country districts one or two benighted 

 beings who are unacquainted with the literary 

 masterpieces of this remarkable man. To these, 

 if such there be, it may perhaps be advisable 

 to address a word or two of explanation and 

 apology. 



Some little time ago, when my dear friend 

 Reginald Drake Biffin left this country some- 

 what suddenly at the urgent instigation of his 

 family, and started out to carve a career for 

 himself upon a kangaroo farm on the distant 



