PREFACE. 



xix 



in several quarters to have thern executed nearer home ; 

 but the result was not on the whole satisfactory, so that 

 eventually recourse was again had for the most part to 

 the Prussian capital, and certainly there is little fault to 

 be found with the work latterly turned out from Herr 

 Greve's establishment. Gradually the artistic assist- 

 ance of Mr. Lodge, Mr. Neale, and Mr. Thorburn was 

 invoked, and the later portion of the work has been 

 illustrated wholly by a faithful reproduction of beautifully 

 finished pictures — hardly one of which is not a joy to 

 gaze on — by the accomplished gentleman last named. 

 As the plates were intended to be the main feature of 

 the work, the accompanying letterpress was at first of 

 the briefest. By degrees, however, the natural impulse 

 to dwell upon the interesting subjects depicted grew 

 irresistible, and in some instances particulars of the 

 several species figured were given at considerable length, 

 and generally from the writer's own experience. 



Ever since Lilford came into his possession, its 

 owner's love of live animals kept on developing itself. 

 The stable-yard and adjoining courts and outhouses of 

 the old Hall were, one after another, brought into 

 requisition, and made to accommodate a vast assemblage 

 of beasts, birds, and reptiles, especial care being taken 

 to adapt their several quarters to the comfort of the 

 inhabitants. This consideration, too often neglected by 

 those who have the control of vivaria, was constantly 

 borne in mind by Richard Cosgrave, a faithful and assi- 

 duous attendant, whose morning report on the condition 



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