. In other words, the book will
be an illustration of the text, 'He has put down the mighty from their
seats, and has exalted the humble and meek.'" Then, like a flash, the
title came 'The Seats of the Mighty'.

Since the phrase has gone into the language and was from the very first
a popular title, it seems strange that the literary director of the
American firm that published the book should take strong exception to
it on the ground that it was grandiloquent. I like to think that I was
firm, and that I declined to change the title.

I need say no more save that the book was dramatised by myself, and
produced, first at Washington by Herbert (now Sir Herbert) Beerbohm Tree
in the winter of 1897 and 1898, and in the spring of 1898 it opened his
new theatre in London.

PREFATORY NOTE TO FIRST EDITION

This tale would never have been written had it not been for the kindness
of my distinguished friend Dr. John George Bourinot, C.M.G., of Ottawa,
whose studies in parliamentary procedure, the English and Canadian
Constitutions, and the history and development of Canada have been
of singular benefit to the Dominion and to the Empire. Through Dr.
Bourinot's good offices I came to know Mr. James Lemoine, of Quebec, the
gifted antiquarian, and President of the Royal Society of Canada.
Mr. Lemoine placed in my hands certain historical facts suggestive
of romance. Subsequently, Mr. George M. Fairchild, Jr., of Cap Rouge,
Quebec, whose library contains a valuable collection of antique Canadian
books, maps, and prints, gave me generous assistance and counsel,
allowing me "the run" of all his charts, prints, histories, and memoirs.
Many of these prints, and a rare and authentic map of Wolfe's operations
against Quebec are now reproduced in this novel, and may be considered
accurate illustrations of places, people, and events. By the insertion
of these faithful historical elements it is hoped to give more vividness
to the atmosphere of the time, and to strengthen the verisimilitude of a
piece of fiction which is not, I believe, out of harmony with fact.

Gilbert Parker

PRELUDE

To Sir Edward Seaforth, Bart., of Sangley Hope in Derbyshire, and
Seaforth House in Hanover Square.

Dear Ned: You will have them written, or I shall be pestered to my
grave! Is that the voice of a friend of so long standing? And yet it
seems but yesterday since we had good hours in Virginia together, or met
among the ruins of Quebec. My mem