Page:Essays and Addresses.djvu/8

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PREFACE.

THE essays and addresses contained in this volume are selected from a large mass of material left by Sir Richard Jebb. I publish them in the desire to save from oblivion some portion of his minor literary work, which occupied the spare moments of a busy life. Of the papers thus brought together, some were contributed to reviews and magazines, while others were written in response to the many requests that came to him from various schools and societies; requests it was a pleasure to him to grant, if they could be fitted in with his other duties. It was always his desire to give what aid he could in the cause of letters or education. Most of these writings were struck off under pressure of many engagements. Systematic they are not, yet neither are they mere fragments. Each is, in a sense, complete in itself, and all seem to bear the mark of his distinctive handling.

I am greatly indebted to Mr S. H. Butcher, M.P., for his assistance in making this selection;