The Index at the end of the volume, although it contains many names not included in the body of the work, does by no means include all that I have given there. This did not seem necessary, because, the root words being alphabetically arranged, an intelligent teacher or pupil will easily find the key to the explanation of any special name by referring to the head under which it is naturally classed. I must, however, premise that, with regard to names derived from the Celtic languages, the root word is generally placed at the beginning of the name--that is, if it contain more than one syllable. This is the case with such vocables as _pen_, _ben_, _dun_, _lis_, _rath_, _strath_, etc.; _e.g._ Lismore, Benmore, Dungarvan, Strath-Allan. On the other hand, in names derived from the Teutonic or Scandinavian languages, the root word comes last, as will be found with regard to _ton_, _dale_, _burg_, _berg_, _stadt_, _dorf_, _ford_, etc. The index, therefore, may be expected to include principally such names as, either through corruption or abbreviation, have materially changed their form, such as are formed from the simple root, like Fürth, Ennis, Delft, or such as contain more than one, as in Portrush, it being uncertain under which head I may have placed such names. Along with the root words, called by the Germans _Grundwörter_, I have given a number of defining words (_Bestimmungswörter_)--such adjectives as express variety in colour, form, size, etc. It is to be regretted that many names have necessarily been omitted from ignorance or uncertainty with regard to their derivation. This is the case, unfortunately, with several well-known and important towns--Glasgow, Berlin, Berne, Madrid, Paisley, etc. With regard to these and many others, I shall be glad to receive reliable information. And now it only remains for me to express my obligations to the gentlemen who have kindly assisted me in this work, premising that, in the departments which they have revised, the credit of success is due mainly to them; while I reserve to myself any blame which may be deservedly attached to failures or omissions. The Celtic portion of my proof-sheets has been revised by Dr. Skene, the well-known Celtic scholar of this city, and by Dr. Joyce, author of _Irish Names of Places_. I have also to thank the Rev. Isaac Taylor, author of _Words and Places_, for the help and encouragement which he has given me from time to time; and Mr. Paterson, author of the _Magyars_, for valuable information which I received from him regarding the topography of Hungary. I appreciate the assistance given me by these gentlemen the more, that it did not proceed from personal friendship, as I was an entire stranger to all of them. It was the kindness and courtesy of the stronger and more learned to one weaker and less gifted than themselves; and I beg they may receive my grateful thanks, along with the little volume which has been so much their debtor.