ADDRESS.

THE AUTHOR T 0 T H E R EADE R.

The present Work was commenced under views and circumstances totally differentfrom those which have attended its completion, and under the disadvantages of the Author's igno-rance then of the capabilities of Chromo-lithography as applied to the representation of windowsof stained glass. In fact his idea at the time was rather that of attempting an experiment on a fewPlates which he happened to possess (in black outline only for Water-colouring), which weregenerously subscribed by his patrons as a token of satisfaction with the several windows executed byhim for them, and with the view of recommending him to others. Under these circumstances, hedetermined to try the effect of Chromo-lithography upon them, with a prospect of probably pub-lishing them with a few pages of letter-press of a descriptive nature. Hence it is that this work isillustrated with Plates from his own designs ; for, finding himself encouraged in his undertaking,and urged by the entreaties of many of his friends and patrons, he was induced to take a muchmore extended view of the matter, not only in the number of Plates, but especially in the letter-press, which in the first instance there was no intention of making so ample, or of enlarging into anything like a consecutive historical account of the art, or it might have been well and usefully illus-trated from ancient works only. It is however still hoped that the present Plates may sufficientlyserve to explain any want of perspicuity in the letter-press.

The Author, although he feels that he may without impropriety affirm that the lithogra-phers have been most indefatigable in combating many difficulties, and that much praise is due tothem for the admirable manner in which they have acquitted themselves, is yet bound to state thatthis excellence has not been attained without much pains, cost, and trouble. To Mr. T. J. Rawlinsmuch credit is due for the ability with which he has so faithfully executed the Plates, he having forthe most part reduced the Drawings from the original Cartoons.

A Volume in continuation, with details at large from Ancient Authorities only, as con-nected with all the different styles, will hereafter be published, consisting of Sacred Monograms,Pinnacles, Bosses, Emblems, Quarrels, Chronograms, Diapers, Crockets, Rebuses , Heraldry , andother Ornaments , with explanatory letter-press to each Plate.

The Author has much to regret his inability to comply with the desire of many of hisfriends and patrons who wished for the insertion of their windows in the present work; but, inde-pendently of its having been extended much beyond his original intention, it was found absolutelynecessary to confine the Plates to such examples as had immediate reference to the letter-press, andformed a sufficient variety of design for each style, so as to make the work as far as possible bothuseful and instructive, rather than a mere record of his works, for which reason he has selected hisdesigns without reference to their dignity or importance, either in size or situation. The literary