It is only natural that the domestic life of every great man should be a matter of deep interest to the world at large. As leading actors in the grand drama of public fame, our eminent men must necessarily hold a foremost place in our social history. Hence it is only a justifiable curiosity which seeks to know more about them when "out of harness," at play, and in their own homes. It was a suggestive idea of this kind incidentally mentioned in the Times a few years ago, that prompted the compilation of the present work, which, it is hoped, will make the public more thoroughly acquainted with many of those celebrated men whose tastes, habits, and other personal traits of character, have never hitherto been systematically collected. But, while a work of this kind-so wide is its subject-must be at its best merely fragmentary, and contain much that is already known to biographers and critics, it is hoped that, as a popular book, and written for the public, it will meet with favour and interest. Should this be the case, the Author intends to continue the subject on a future occasion. May 6th, 1889. T. F. THISELTON DYER. |