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xii I am greatly obliged to Mr. C. E. Benham, of Colchester, who lent me the manuscript of his able paraphrase of the poem. Some of his interpretations are quoted in my notes.

My friend Mr. Beeching’s edition of In Memoriam was not published till my work was practically complete and partly in type. His name is mentioned where I have made changes or additions after reading his book, but I may have left references to ‘the commentators’ which do not apply to him.

Finally, I owe thanks to my friends Messrs. MacLehose for the care with which they have printed a troublesome manuscript, and to many other friends for help given to me in preparing the Commentary; not least to my brother-in-law, the late Sir George Grove, who brought to the study of the poem that enthusiasm and genius in appreciation, to which so many thousands of lovers of music are indebted. Among several reasons why I regret a long delay in the publication of my book the chief is that he cannot see the pages to which he would have given so eager a welcome.

, May, 1901.