The first point to be considered in giving the volume a name was that it forms one of a series in which an endeavour--and, to judge by public appreciation, a successful endeavour--has been made to illustrate in colour an artist's impressions of a particular country: as, for instance, Mr. John Fulleylove's of the Holy Land, Mr. Talbot Kelly's of Egypt, and Mr. Mortimer Menpes's of Japan. Now Mrs. Allingham throughout her work has been steadfast in her adherence to the portrayal of one country only. She has never travelled or painted outside Europe, and within its limits only at one place outside the British Isles, namely, Venice. Even in her native country her work has been strictly localised. Neither Scotland nor Wales has attracted her attention since the days when she first worked seriously as an artist, and Ireland has only received a scanty meed, and that due to family ties. England, therefore, was the one and only name under which her work could be included within the series, and that has very properly been assigned to it. But it will be seen that to this has been added the prefix "Happy," thereby drawing down the disapprobation of certain of the artist's friends, who, recognising her as a resident in Hampstead, have associated the title with that alliterative one which the northern suburbs have received at the hands of the Bank Holiday visitant; and they facetiously surmise that the work may be called "'Appy England! By a Denizen of 'Appy 'Ampstead!" But a glance at the illustrations by any one unacquainted with Mrs. Allingham's residential qualifications, and by the still greater number ignorant even of her name (for these, in spite of her well-earned reputation, will be the majority, taking the countries over which this volume will circulate), must convince such an one that the "England" requires and deserves not only a qualifying but a commendatory prefix, and that the best that will fit it is that to which the artist has now submitted.