more than of Sir Henry Hawkins during his career on the Bench and at
the Bar; but I venture to say that there is no doubtful story in this
volume, and, further, that there is not one which has ever been told
exactly in the same form before. Good stories, like good coin, lose
by circulation. If there should be one or two in these reminiscences
which have lost their image and superscription by much handling, I
hope that the recasting which they have undergone will give them, not
only the brightness of the original mint, but a wider circulation than
they have ever known.

The distinguishing characteristics by which Lord Brampton's stories
may be known I have long been familiar with, and have no hesitation in
saying that one or other, some or all, may be found in every anecdote
that bears the genuine stamp. They are

WIT, HUMOUR, PATHOS, AND TRAGEDY.

My claims in the production of this volume are confined to its
_defects_, although Lord Brampton has been generous enough to
attribute to me a share in its merits.

RICHARD HARRIS.

27 FITZJOHN'S AVENUE,

HAMPSTEAD,

_October_ 6, 1904.