The object of the following work is, I apprehend, so obvious as to render an introduction scarcely needful. It may be well, however, to remark, that it is the only work of its kind which has ever been issued, and that therefore, taking a stand of its own, and following no other either in plan or treatment of its subject, it is hoped that it will command the attention of antiquaries and of all who are interested in the history and the manners and habits of our early forefathers.

It has long appeared to me that a general rÉsumÉ of the almost endless store of knowledge presented by the very varied relics of the grave-mounds of the three great divisions of our history—the Celtic, the Romano-British, and the Anglo-Saxon—kept distinct from the histories of those peoples, and from extraneous matters, and treating them more in a general than in an ethnological manner, could not fail to be a useful addition to our archÆological literature, and would prove of great value and convenience to the general reader, as well as to the antiquary and the historian. Thus it is that I have been induced to prepare the present volume.

I have treated my subject in a popular manner, divesting it of technicalities, of theories, and of discursive matter, and have endeavoured, as far as space would permit, to give, simply and clearly, as correct an insight as possible into the modes of burial adopted in early times in our own country, and into the various remains of different races which an examination of their grave-mounds discloses.

Having great faith in the usefulness of engravings, and believing that, if judiciously introduced, a work of the kind cannot be too profusely illustrated, I have brought together in my present volume a larger number of engravings than could well have been expected; and these, I trust, will add much to its usefulness and value. To all my kind friends who have aided me in this matter I give my hearty thanks.

The work may have some, perhaps many, defects. If such exist, I shall be thankful to have them pointed out, and to remedy them in a future edition.

LLEWELLYNN JEWITT.

Winster Hall,
Derbyshire.

Grave-mounds and their Contents.