i have to acknowledge the very great kindness of mr. hilaire belloc, mr. harold t. e. peake, and mr. r. hippisley cox while i was writing this book, though i do so with some hesitation, because i may seem to make them responsible for some of my possible mistakes and certain shortcomings. a man could hardly have three better guides than mr. belloc for his grasp and sympathy with roads, mr. peake for his caution and curiosity, and “documents, documents!” and mr. cox for his ardour and familiarity with trodden turf; and i must add my testimony to that of my betters to the merits of mr. belloc’s old road, mr. peake’s chapter on prehistoric roads in memorials of old leicestershire, and mr. cox’s avebury. to mr. peake i am indebted not only for suggestions that were invaluable to me, notably in the matter of the ridgeway and the bishop of cloyne’s pernicious theory, but for the use of his copies of the greater part of the materials of my second chapter. i have also had great kindness from the rev. e. h. goddard and mr. w. gough.

edward thomas.

llaugharne,

caermarthenshire.