This book would probably never have been written had it not been begun and all but completed abroad, while in the sunshine of gladness and hope. Looking to the cause of our travels, it was unavoidable that I should mention at its close how sadly all hopes were crushed. But I have striven as far as possible to eschew the introduction of all merely personal allusions. I feel, however, I must take this opportunity of thanking the members of the legal body to which I belong, and of which I had, at the time it became advisable to leave home, the honour of being chief office–bearer, for their courtesy to me then, and for the heartfelt sympathy which so many of them have since expressed. I would only say to them as to others, that we have had of late not a few examples of valued friends who, long after it became really necessary, have toiled, and fagged, and wearied their brains out in the pursuit of an anxious and laborious profession till they have spent their last days or years in utter prostration. Better far, when they can, to obtain thorough relaxation in the enjoyment of a year, or even two years, of Continental travel over such interesting ground as in this book I have attempted in some small measure to describe. W. M. GEORGE SQUARE, EDINBURGH, _July 1879_. ERRATA. Page 27, 19th line, instead of _for_ read _from_. ” 38, 9th line from bottom, for _any_ read _every_. ” 60, 5th line, for _visible_ read _visibile_. ” 91–3–4, for _manu_ read _mano_. ” 272, 7th line from bottom, for _tombs_ read _tomes_. ” ” 5th ” for _his_ read _this_. ” 305, for _Clementi_ read _Clemente_. ” 320, 11th line, for _have_ read _leave_. ” 369, 1st line, for _et_ read _e_. I. _CONTINENTAL TRAVELLING._