EDITOR'S PREFACE

Henry Esmond offers peculiar difficulties for the editor. The novel is long, and the allusions, especially those of a biographical nature, are many. Were every historical and biographical reference explained in the ordinary manner of notes, a great amount of matter would be imposed upon the student which many teachers would not deem it advisable that he should know. This usually results in the discarding of notes altogether. On the other hand, to make a choice in annotations suited to widely differing conditions of time and method of study is an assuming task. The editor of this edition has aimed to avoid both undesirable attitudes, by placing within the covers of the book material for the most careful study, and yet having a considerable part in such form that its use is wholly optional with the teacher. To this end a rather new arrangement has been adopted.

(1) The Chronological Table aims to give in a condensed and sequential form the principal historical events alluded to in the text, which would otherwise require many scattered notes. (2) A Map, likewise, takes the place of many notes on geography. (3) The Glossary of Names at the end of the volume carries the biographical matter, including all mythological names. The Glossary, together with (1) and (2), obviously is to be consulted only at the teacher's pleasure. (4) The explanatory Notes proper, thus disburdened, will neither weary by reason of number, it is hoped, nor be without some usefulness in fostering an appreciation of the historic and artistic triumphs of the novel. (5) The sense