"THE Early History of Charles James Fox" was
published thirty-one years ago, in October 1880. In
the following December I accepted office as Secretary
of the Admiralty, and perforce abandoned literature for
an indefinite period to come. At the beginning of the
next Session, in the lobby of the House of Commons,
Mr. Justin M'Carthy did me the honour to express a
wish that there existed a Statutory power for obtaining
an Order of Court to compel me "to finish Fox"; and
I am very glad to think that my old friend is alive to read
this book. Its two volumes, -- of which the first is here,
and the second is already more than half written, -- will
carry Fox up to the moment which, so far as personal
success was concerned, proved to be the culminating
point of his whole career. They will likewise continue,
and conclude, the History of the American Revolution, --
my tranquil and pleasant occupation during the later
years of a life much of which was passed in stormier
waters.

A general map of the revolted colonies at the out-
break of the American rebellion is herewith given for
the convenience of readers.

WALLINGTON: November 1911.

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