The Dictionary of the LANDED GENTRY is, at length, completed. Requiring deep research, indefatigable perseverance, and unremitting labour, it has necessarily consumed much time in its progress - much more than had been anticipated. If it prove, however, a faithful and valuable record of the Gentry of the Empire, the anxious object of the Authors will have been attained, and the years they have devoted to the subject, in a great measure, compensated.

This work comprises the genealogical history of that Class in Society which holds the next place to the privileged Order - the untitled Country Gentlemen - a class, though, be it remembered, not one degree below the other, in antiquity of descent, personal accomplishment, and national usefulness; nay, the Chiefs of the Houses from which the Nobility spring, are generally to be found in this division of the Aristocracy, and for the simple reason, that the eldest son and heir being already provided for, the field of adventure belongs, almost exclusively, to the junior members of the family, who, thus forced upon the arena, achieve, by their prowess or their talents - the sword or the pen - fame, wealth, and eminence.

In the course of their labours, the Authors have experienced, from every one of their correspondents, unvarying politeness and attention; from many, most important assistance; and to all they now beg to return their best and sincerest acknowledgments.

25 Gower-street, Bedford-square,

August, 1846.