improving the Book as a practical Representation of Cromwell’s Existence in this world, but in hindering it from being injured as such,—from being swollen out of shape by superfluous details, defaced with dilettante antiquarianisms, nugatory tagrags; and, in short, turned away from its real uses, instead of furthered towards them. An ungrateful kind of effort, and growing ever more so, the longer it lasts;—but one to which the Biographer of Cromwell by this method has to submit, as to a clear law of nature, with what cheerfulness he can.
Certain Dictionary Lists, not immediately connected with Oliver, but useful for students of this Historical Period, a List of the Long Parliament, and Lists of the Association Committees; farther a certain Contribution called The Squire Papers, which is for the present, and must for a long time remain, of doubtful authenticity to the world: these I have subjoined to the Second[1] Volume, which offered space for such a purpose; but have been careful, in Text, Appendix, Index, to make no reference to them, to maintain a perfect separation between all parts of the Book and them, and to signify that these are not even an Appendix, or thing hooked-on, but rather a mere Adjacency, or thing in some kind of contact,—kind of contact which can at any moment be completely dissolved, by the very Bookbinder if he so please.
And in general, for the reader’s sake, let me again say plainly that all these Appendixes and Adjuncts are insignificant; that the Life of Cromwell lies in the Text; and that a serious reader, if he take advice of mine, will not readily stir from that on any call of the Appendixes etc., which can only be a call towards things unessential, intrinsically superfluous, if extrinsically necessary here, and worthy only of a later and more cursory attention, if of any whatever, from him.
London, 16th October 1849.
- ↑ The Lists will be given at the end of the Third Volume in the present Edition; the Squire Papers are adjoined to the Second Volume.
