Page:The Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of the British Empire Part 1.djvu/23

Rh months of incessant labour and unremitting attention in comparing with me the original grants of arms, as well as in readily affording me every possible help in ordinary investigations. I beg to tender to both these officers of the College of Arms my warmest thanks.

Without fee or remuneration, and without any claim of private friendship on my part, these gentlemen have extended to me a helping hand and the benefit ad’ their official position, on the ground of the public utility of my enterprise. I venture to think therefore that the public will participate in the feelings of grateful satisfaction which I am unable adequately to express.

George Burnett, Esq., Lyon King of Arms, and Robert Riddle Stodart, Esq., Lyon Clerk Depute, have very cordially rendered me similar services with reference to Scottish families and their armorial ensigns; nor must I omit to acknowledge with thanks some information received from Sir J. Bernard Burke, C.B., Ulster King-of-Arms, relative to matters within his province. But other benefactors must not be forgotten. I must always be under great obligation to my friends Messrs. Caslon and Co., who have supplied the type (exceeding five tons) for this work with unparalleled liberality; and to Mr. Robert Cradock Nichols, of Westminster—whose firm is inseparably connected with British topography—I am also greatly indebted for the warm interest lie has taken in the publication of this work, and for having produced what all good judges will doubtless allow to be an excellent specimen of what the Printer's art can do in this nineteenth century.

I also have much pleasure in exprossing my thankfulness to those Subscribers who have honoured my work with their patronage, while I must also claim their indulgence; for I am fully conscious that, despite the utmost vigilance of any author, mistakes in abundance will occur in books of this kind, but such as there are will, I trust, be found to be clerical rather than cardinal.

It only remains for me now to express my gratification at having been spared to complete my task, for it is no slight satisfaction to me when reviewing the result of five years' labour to consider that I am the only person in my day and generation who has at his own risk originated and completed a work of this character and magnitude, which will not only contrast favourably with the earliest edition but. I trust, also with the latest editions of every kindred publication. It must not however be supposed that I am contented with the book as now offered to the public; on the contrary, I believe that, however superior it may be found to other of its kind, it will still require five years more of the closest application I can bestow on it before it will reach the standard of accuracy and completeness at which I have aimed.

I shall be glad to make all corrections that are pointed out, and to incorporate the notification of all current events which may be forwarded to me. JOSEPH FOSTER.