Apology," and the Persian in "Ferishtah's Fancies;" the notes to
"Transcendentalism," and "Pietro of Abano;" and that he has allowed me
to study in the original documents the story of "The Ring and the Book."
The two signed notes by which he has enriched the present edition have
grown out of recent circumstances.

A. ORR.

_January 11th, 1886._


PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

The present edition of the Handbook includes a summary of Mr. Browning's
"Parleyings," which from the contents of this volume, as well as from
its recent appearance, finds its natural place in a Supplement.

I have added an Index to the six volumes of the "Works," which has been
desired for greater facility of reference.

Various corrections and improvements of the nature indicated in the
Preface to my second edition have been also made in the book.

A. ORR.

_June 25th, 1887._


PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION.