Page:Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.djvu/11

iv available source. More than one-third of the book consists of entire new matter. Some 350 extra pages have been added, and all that has been retained of previous editions have been subjected to the severest scrutiny.

Thanks are most deservedly due, and are here most gratefully tendered to the many hundreds of correspondents who have written to the author on the subjects contained in his book. Some have been specialists; some have suggested new articles, some have sent apt quotations; and others have gone diligently through the edition in their possession from beginning to end, and have sent their observations to the author, with permission to use them according to his judgment.

Of these last, especial mention should be made of the Rev. Arthur M. Rendell, M. A., of Coston Rectory, Melton Mowbray, of Dr. Huxley of Bath, Mr. J. Edward Cooper, Stapleford, (a most judicious and painstaking critic), of Geo. Martin, Esq., Principal of Wirral Academy, Birkenhead, F. Tolhansen, Esq., a well-known author, and of a Barrister at law whose name I have not obtained permission to publish.

To set down the names of others whose correspondence fills a box of no inconsiderable size, would serve no useful purpose, and would not interest the general reader; but it may, without vanity, be hoped, with all this help, and all the pains of the author for more than half a century, that this Treasury of Literary bric-à-brac will become a standard book of reference, and a guide to be relied on