HE purpose and scope of this book will be rendered THE plainer by a glance at the table of contents than I could hope to make it here, except by anticipating what will be found in the following chapters. And as nobody is likely to be interested in the reasons which led me to undertake the task which is now, at last, ended, if not accomplished, I should be disposed to write no preface at all. But it is my pleasant duty to thank those who have been good enough to help me in my work. I am greatly indebted to Professor Henry Jones, of Glasgow, and to Professor T. Stanley Roberts, of Aberystwyth, who each read part of the manuscript, and made valuable suggestions. Mr A. R. Waller, of Peterhouse, read the whole of the proofs with a patience and care for which, as I can make no adequate acknowledgment, I must thankfully rest his debtor. For the errors and shortcomings of the book as it now stands I, of course, am alone responsible. That the errors are not more numerous and the shortcomings greater is due to the generous help of the three men whom I have named, |