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 PREFACE.

"Debrett" has keen known to, and patronized by, at least five generations of the "upper ten thousand." For one hundred and seventy years its reputation as a stan- dard book of reference has been maintained, and, if this edition prove equal to its predecessors, the work will have gained another step in the ladder of Fame.

For a publication to have preserved a high reputation for such a remarkably long period is entirely exceptional, and we believe that "DEBRETT"of the present dayis as much respected by those members of the aristocracy who are in their virility as by those who, now in their senility, have for six or seven decades patronized the work.

Prefatory words to a new edition of such a venerable book may appear to be supererogative, but we obey the behests of custom while being fully convinced that nullumest jam dictum, quod non dictum sit prius. Our remarks are, however, ad- dressed to adolescents, with the hope that those who are budding into adult life may appreciate " DEBRETT " as much as did their sires and grandsires.

The specialties of " DEBRETT " are for the most part well known in society, but, being perfectly distinct from those of kindred books, the younger branches of the community may be glad to know that the work