Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/20

PREFACE. In the alphabetical arrangement, all names with a prefix have been classed under the initial letter of the prefix. Thus names commencing Van, Von, Van der, Von der, Le, La, De, Di, Della, &c., have been subjected to this arrangement. They refer chiefly to foreigners or their descendants, and it will be found that when such names become acclimatised, the prefix is naturally absorbed in the proper name, and no longer maintains its separate form. In the orthography of names, which hardly became settled till nearly the middle of the last century, the most recently accepted spelling has been adopted.

The Author received, in the progress of this work, so much kind assistance, not alone from friends, but from many others of whom he solicited information, that he regrets he is only able to acknowledge generally the valued help given to him, and the great obligations he has incurred.