Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. We wish our readers further to understand that the information embodied in these pages has been taken from the most approved sources, and but in a few cases, and these of minor note, taken second-hand. Where-there was a doubt we have expressed it, and whenever we found ourselves obliged to copy the remarks of an eu thor upon whom we could place but little reliance we have always noted the fact, in order not to give as cer. Tain what was at best but doubtful, and thus be made responsible for statements which could not stand the test of criticism.