of both Mackenzie and Nisbet abound with references to the Heraldry of the Houses in question.
He trusts that it is quite unnecessary for him to disclaim any intention to cause offence in his strictures on what he considers to be heraldic irregularities; for most of which, indeed, the Authorities of the Lyon Office are responsible, and not the families by whom these irregularities are exhibited. In his anxiety to avoid such a result, he at one time entertained the idea of resorting to what lawyers call the "A. B." system of illustration; but he soon found that a hypothetical mode of treatment was not calculated to explain his views with sufficient clearness, and that the actual mention of names was desirable, if not absolutely necessary.
With reference to the Dedication, the author thinks it right to state that, in accordance with the permission of the lamented Lord Eglinton, he hoped to have published the work under his Lordship's living patronage, but-dis aliter visum.
He embraces this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable assistance he has received during the progress of the work, more particularly from Lord Lindsay, Mr. David Laing, Mr. William Fraser of the Register House, and Mr. William Anderson of the Lyon Office. He also begs to express his great obligations to Mr. James Drummond, R. S. A., and Mr. Robert Frier, for their ready and skilful aid in the preparation of several of the illustrations.
The author may state that his mode of treatment implies a knowledge of at least the elements of Heraldry ;