portion forms an alphabetical index. These lists have been carried no further back than the Revolution, in consequence of the increased certainty and greater interest which attaches to the high officers of the state since that remarkable change in the constitution; while upon the same principles the series of bishops is made to commence at the Reformation. Practical utility being the main object aimed at, considerable labour has also been expended in identifying the persons of those who have filled distinguished stations, so that those of similar name should not be confounded, or any discrepancy of period introduced into a subject where accuracy is so vital a characteristic. The close attention to minute trifles which the foregoing statement involves, can never be considered as a pleasing or interesting undertaking; but its annoyances have been encountered from a belief that whatever illustrates the political or social history of a great country, whatever readily and satisfactorily disentangles matters which are liable to misconception, will not be harshly judged by the public, nor lightly estimated by those whose pleasures or whose labours it is intended to facilitate. CONTENTS. For more copious references to individual portions of each article, the reader is referred to the alphabetical index at the end of the volume. The Queen Consort............... 114 The Queen Dowager........... 115 The Earldom of Chester ......... 117 The Dukedom of Cornwall...... ib. The Princess of Wales............ 121 The Princess Royal ............... ib. of the respective grants...... 122 The Royal Household ................................ 124 Keeper of the Privy Purse...... 126 Lord Steward of the Household ib. Treasurer of the Household 128 Comptroller of the Household.. ib. Master of the Honsehold......... ib. www OFFICIAL AND PROFESSIONAL RANKS. The Privy Council ............. 257 Style and title of Privy Coun- cillors .............. |