Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. In so many details of minor facts, it is well nigh impossible to avoid errors; but it is hoped that few of importance have escaped detection. When state ments are made, which have only probability for their basis, care has been taken to indicate this, so that they may be readily distinguished from what is supported by positive evidence. A number of inter esting anecdotes, though often published, have been omitted in this work, because probabilities were strongly against their truth. May the author be permitted to h0pe, that the pleasure he has enjoyed in writing these pages will be shared by his readers.