x PREFACE. We cannot conclude this short notice without expressing our sincere thanks to T. Duffus Hardy, Esq., Deputy Keeper of the Records, and to the Count de Laborde, Keeper of the Imperial Archives, for the valuable assistance they have afforded the Author in granting free access to the public documents both of England and France; also to various librarians of Europe, for their kind and patient researches in our cause; and lastly, among many others from whom we have received much useful in formation, to the Miss Lockes, from whose untiring exertions both in Italy and Germany, we derive much that is interesting in our volume. And again, before taking leave of our readers, we beg to state that, in case this work should, at some distant period, reach a second edition, any contributions derived from well-authenticated sources wills, inventories, family documents, or ancient publica tions, overlooked or as yet unsearclied—will, if addressed to the Publishers, be gratefully welcomed by The obliged Author, FANNY BURY PALIJSER. Upper Brooh Street, Oetober 1864.