PREFACE. ix 



many friends and correspondents, almost too numerous 

 to particularize, who have kindly answered inquiries, 

 and from time to time given me material information 

 for the purposes of this work. A word of acknowledg- 

 ment is due to Messrs. Harrison and Son, of Newcastle, 

 for the excellent photographs executed by them and 

 reproduced in this volume, and to Messrs. Henry Graves 

 and Co., of Pall Mall, for kindly allowing the reproduc- 

 tion of the portrait of !Mr. Wicksted. 



CHAELES J. BLAGG. 



Greexhill, Cheadle, Stapfordshibe, 

 November, 1902. 



