The scope and plan of BURKE’S LANDED GENTRY are so well known that it is hardly necessary to dwell upon them. Simply stated, that work treats of the untitled nobility of this country as "BURNE’S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE," the companion volume, deals with the titled classes.

Six years have passed since the last edition of the LANDED GENTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN was published, though the LANDED GENTRY OF IRELAND, the supplementary volume, was issued but two years ago. Much has occurred to chronicle in this interval. Indeed, the mere record of births, deaths, and marriages which have taken place has proved a very formidable task, apart from the very careful revision necessitated by the more precise and critical methods of modern research.

The constant increase in our genealogical knowledge, due in a great measure to the patient and untiring labours of the families themselves, has resulted inevitably in the increased bulk of the work. Moreover, many hitherto unpublished pedigrees have been added, new county families having arisen, destined, let us hope, to rival the records of those that are gone. However, space has been gained by the disappearance of articles due to the extinction of some families or the sale of their estates, and to the promotion of others to the ranks of the titled classes.

No additional space has been grudged in any case, when required for the amplification or improvement of the pedigrees, and all information likely to throw light on the obscure passages of family story has been welcomed. Every page in this work has been submitted to the heads of families and of their collateral branches in order to secure the benefit of their more intimate knowledge, and I trust that they will accept my most grateful thanks for their ever courteous replies and the valuable assistance they have given me.

ASHWORTH P. BURKE