ADDRESS. 
In commencing a new book on Butterflies, I have thought it necessary to enter 
into some explanation as to my connexion with Doubleday, Westwood, and Hewitson’s 
Diurnal Lepidoptera. 
The proprietors of that work have been accused of a breach of faith towards their 
subscribers, a plea, and I think a very shabby one, to afford them an excuse to discon- 
tinue it. 
But for the guarantee of their names in the list of subscribers the book would never 
have been begun. 
At Mr. Doubleday’s death the publishers were of course absolved from their en- 
gagement ; they might have abandoned the work in its unfinished state — almost worth- 
less. To continue it was to entail upon themselves certain loss. It was necessary to 
supply Mr. Doubleday’s place by securing the services of our ablest entomologist, to pay 
for the completion of a large amount of letterpress which Mr. Doubleday had left in 
arrear, and to furnish to the subscribers double the quantity at first promised. This 
has been done. I have done my best, besides, to make the one plate of recent parts as 
valuable as the two of former numbers. 
Who then are the aggrieved parties; the subscribers who have withdrawn their sup- 
port from their friend’s book, or the publishers who at their own loss, and for no other 
reason but to benefit the subscribers, have continued a valuable book to its completion \ 
I write not as an interested party (in a pecuniary sense, I can neither gain nor lose), 
but as a lover of fair play. 
My part in the work was taken purely con amove : my drawings have been sup- 
plied free of cost, and I trust that the same admiration for the beautiful objects which I 
have had to illustrate, which made my share in the “ Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera” a 
labour of love, will continue unabated during the progress of the present work, cheered 
by the approbation of those whose praise it is my wish to merit. 
The book of “ Exotic Butterflies ” can never be perfect, neither can it be said to be 
imperfect whenever it may be brought to a close. 
Multitudes of new butterflies fill our cabinets ; and whilst we have men abroad 
filled with the ardour of Mr. Bates, the eyes of entomologists will be gladdened by the 
sight of many more ; and so long as it shall be God’s will to continue to me health with 
that deep heartfelt love for His glorious works, which has been the blessing of my life, 
my, pencil shall be employed to pourtray them. 
Oatlands, Walton on Thames. 
December 1 6th, 1851. 
WILLIAM C. HEWITSON. 
