PREFACE.
ON the personal character and exploits of the illustrious Alfred we shall not detain our readers by offering a single comment, although a more attractive and important subject for historical and biographical investigation does not exist. There are apparent anomalies both in the life and reign of this great King, which require much more minute and specific attention than they have yet received, but to which even a cursory reference would exceed the assigned limits of this prefatory address. - Nothing further will therefore be attempted, on the present occasion, than such general explanations as may tend to illustrate the highly interesting document of which the following pages offer an accurate reprint.
