PREFACE. 



Within a very short period, it has been the fortune of the 

 present Editor of the Herd Book to find several opportunities for 

 addressing those with whose acquaintance and support it is his 

 great desire to be honoured. These openings, however, he feels 

 are due far more to the ability of his predecessors than to any 

 effort or claim on his own account. In instance of this, he has 

 only to repeat that the greater part of his time hitherto has been 

 occupied in preparing for the press new editions of early volumes ; 

 in collecting which he had comparatively but httle share, and 

 consequently on whose success he could scarcely make his own 

 foundation for public favour and sympathy. Still, indirectly, he 

 is conscious of the advantage of thus following " the well-practised 

 hand ;" not by comparison or unbecoming assurance of equahty, 

 but rather from the belief that subscribers who have been so well 

 pleased with the originator will be the more ready to make some 

 allowance for his successor. Moreover, the new volumes in 

 continuation, are not left so entirely to themselves for advancement 

 or attention, but enjoy, from this steady demand for the few fii'st, 

 the companionship of foster-brothers, whose path is already 

 cleared, and fame established. Even beyond this, the re-issue 



