WILLIS'S CURRENT NOTES: A SERIES OF ARTICLES ON Antiquities, Biography, Heraldry, History, Language, Literature, Topography, Curious Customs, &c. SELECTED FROM ORIGINAL LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS ADDRESSED DURING THE YEAR 1852, TO THE PUBLISHER, G. WILLIS, GREAT PIAZZA, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON. MDCCCLIII. PREFACE. ENTERING as we now are upon the publication of a third volume of the "Current Notes," the Second Volume of which we have herewith the pleasure of presenting in a complete form to the Public, our first duty as it is our pleasure is to thank our Subscribers most cordially for the very liberal support we have received from them during its progress. It is so seldom that the productions of the Customer and the Tradesman form part of the same Periodical, that it is no wonder if the Publisher of the "Current Notes" feels a little elated by seeing his humble efforts for the entertainment of the Public in such good company. But this patronage, so far from dulling his exertions in his legitimate pursuit--that of promoting the diffusion of Books in their widest extent--will only stimulate him to fresh efforts, and while he continues to place before his Customers the best Books, he trusts that they will be as liberal as hitherto in their contributions of _Current Notes_. The _Price Current of Literature_, indeed, now occupies a position distinct from that of any other Bookseller's Catalogue ever presented to the public, for it not only furnishes a monthly list of the principal New Publications, followed by a constant succession of Standard Works in every department of Ancient and Modern Literature, selected with care and judgment, but it likewise presents a medium for Literary Inquirers to prosecute their researches and interchange their opinions. Nor is this correspondence confined to our own land. From the Colonies and America, over which it ranges in its wide circulation, we continue to receive gratifying testimonials to its usefulness, as well as accessions to its columns, and have reason to believe it is duly appreciated by those whose favour it is our study to deserve and interest to secure.