With the Index renewed care has been taken. It has not only been extended, as was necessary by the introduction of additional matter into the text, but the plan has been so far improved upon as to permit it to be readily used for ordinary historical and biographical purposes—for the events making up the history of nations, and the chief facts in the lives of eminent men. Even a slight examination of this portion of the book will satisfy those working in the byways of literature that many occurrences are noticed which could hardly fill a place in a general history of the period, however special and comprehensive. In particular, readers will find abundant reference to the intellectual activity of the age so far as this could be illustrated by personal, political, and ecclesiastical controversy, while it i1s hoped they will not think the text unduly burdened in setting forth legislative movements regarding the great Schools of the country, and for increasing the usefulness of our national Universities.
On the whole, and apart from some minute errors (unknown, but still to be antici- pated), the "Annals" are now submitted in as complete a state as the writer can ever expect to present them, and worthy, he trusts, of being continued in future years as a faithful record of these inquiring and eventful times. It is some recompense for the labour bestowed to believe that readers may experience surprise as to how their knowledge of a continuous narrative of events nearly concerning them could be kept readily available for exact use without such a reference-book as is now placed in their hands. By avoiding disquisition, it will be seen that it is possible to present the material points of history within a limited space, while the rigid exclusion of comments or mere discursive matter goes far to make apologies for even unconscious injustice to individuals or parties unnecessary.
The many correspondents and friends who have assisted the Author will find their best thanks in observing that in nearly every case their corrections or suggestions have been adopted, and that they have all helped to complete a work deserving, as they thought, of being improved and extended.
For the utility and general design of the "Annals," the reader is referred to the accompanying Preface to the First Edition.
