Preface

Summary

A few words of personal explanation are necessary. When this work was undertaken, it was a new and difficult task to one who had done so little in literature, and who had been preceded by such learned geographers as the editors of previous volumes of this Society. It was, therefore, with much satisfaction that I made the acquaintance of so able a coadjutor as Mr. Coote, who consented at my request to share the editorial labours. As the work slowly advanced, however, he found that his other engagements would not allow of his bestowing much time on it, and he finally asked to be released altogether from his engagement, particularly as differences of opinion on various points connected with the notes and editing made themselves felt. Unwilling that he should be deprived of any credit due to his work, I begged him to let his name stand with mine on the title page, while I finished the book. The introduction is, therefore, due to my pen, and I am responsible for any of its shortcomings.