patriotism rises as we peruse the wonderful story, and our interest deepens as we watch how century after century the land advanced in its ordered greatness. But, perhaps, as deep an interest centres in the villages and towns, which we know so well, and it is good reading for us to know all about their progress and development.

This book, "THE ANNALS OF EALING," is such a record, and I have much pleasure in writing a few words of introduction. It has been a bit of loving work on the part of the Author, and has occupied many months of earnest labour and investigation. A diligent search has been made into the old records of Ealing, and the interesting pages will demonstrate to the reader how much our "island story" comes into view, the great men who have lived in Ealing, and played their part on the world's great stage.

The book is not only a dip into the past, but it is also the account of the gradual growth of Ealing from the small rural village of fifty years ago to the prosperous and fashionable suburb which we now recognize as Ealing. The transformation has been great. I feel sure that the effort to make known something of the long history of our village-town, will be acceptable to all the residents of Ealing, and that they will accord this book a favourable reception.

W. E. OLIVER.

Vicarage, Ealing,

March, 1898.

NOTE.

THE rapid changes of recent years, in such a growing neighbourhood as Ealing has become, seemed to render it necessary to place on record, before it was too late, such aspects of its bygone years, as are fast becoming obliterated and forgotten in the march of progress.

The earlier history of all old neighbourhoods can be discovered by patient research in well defined and more or less accessible sources, but for later developments, much dependence has to be placed upon oral tradition and the reminiscences of those who have lived their lives and grown old in the place, and in this respect, it has been a deep source of gratitude to me, to find on all sides the most ready help and lively interest. In fact, the matter supplied by so many friends, developed to such an extent, that much condensation became necessary, in order to keep the book within the desired limits.

In the inception of the work, and in counsel as to the lines on which it should be proceeded with, I received the valuable aid of Dr. Oliver and Mr. J. Allen Brown, to the latter of whom literary Ealing and the reading public owe so much. The "ANNALS" were begun at the suggestion of Dr. Oliver, who has, throughout the compilation, permitted me to have ready access to the various old parish books. and documents under his care, and, by introductions to re

liable sources, has enabled me to obtain a large amount of trustworthy information; a strong sense of my obligation to Dr. Oliver compels me to especially thank him; and to Mr. J. Allen Brown I am indebted for some carefully selected extracts from the old county records, the fruit of much laborious search, and I gratefully acknowledge his help.

With very real pleasure, I take this opportunity of thanking the local clergy of all denominations for their courtesy in supplying notes on their respective places of worship; their generous compliance with my request, will, I am sure, be widely welcomed. Very gratefully I acknowledge Miss Baron's account of St. Stephen's Church, and Dr. Tupholme's sketch of John Henry Newman, and I tender my individual thanks to those who have contributed notes on special subjects, and although acknowledged in the body of the work, I must here place their names on record : Mr. Brookes, Dr. Thain Davidson, the Rev. H. C. Douglass, Mr. James Hayles, the Rev. G. Henslow, the Rev. W. G. Horder, Miss Jackson, Mr. Lewis, the Rev. W. Petty, Dr. Skeat, and the Rev. J. Summerhayes.

I desire also to express my sincere thanks to Mr. C. Jones, not only for his important chapter on Ealing Municipal Life, but also for his kindness in allowing photographs to be taken of some old views in his possession, and my hearty thanks are due to Mr. A. Richardson, for his reproduction of these pictures.

Professor Lobley will be thanked by all readers for his masterly and succinct account of the Geology of the neigh

bourhood, which is comprised in the last chapter, and for that useful appendage, a bibliography. I feel that I cannot render adequate thanks for the generosity which has enriched my book with this most interesting article.

I would also gratefully record my appreciation of the valuable suggestions and courteous aid that I have received throughout the work from the Rev. W. de Burgh; and there are yet others whose assistance I gladly acknowledge. Mrs. Prendergast Walsh, Miss Turrell, Major McCrea, Mr. Tidy, and Mr. H. Atlee, have taken infinite pains to supply accurate information, and their long and intimate association with the neighbourhood, renders the value of their help very real.

It is a pleasure to note down my indebtedness to Dr. Northcott, of Rochester House, though no words that I can think of will express the largeness of the debt. With characteristic courtesy, at my bold request, Dr. Northcott set himself the wearisome task of reading through the MS. before it went to press. By his careful revision and corrections, the book has gained much, its writer more. It must be remembered, however, that the responsibility of each statement rests upon me.

In conclusion, I can only offer my best thanks to Mr. E. W. Northcott for coming to my assistance in the arrangement of that tedious and difficult, but very important part of such a book-the index. The very great care that Mr. Northcott has taken over this uninteresting task deserves my fullest gratitude. The delightful picture of Rochester House, the drawings of diagrams illustrating Professor

Lobley's geological article, and the finely drawn map, are Mr. Northcott's work; some of the photographs are also his, and in addition, I have had the advantage of his careful help in the correction of the proofs. The generous assistance offered on all hands, the courtesy of Mr. Bonner (Librarian of Ealing Free Public Library) and of the officials at the Guildhall Library and the British Museum, and equally the invaluable suggestions, criticisms and advice of Mr. C. Clark, my publisher, have enabled me to place these Annals of Ealing before my readers, in what I hope may be considered a suitable form.

EDITH JACKSON.

Ealing, July, 1898.