FURNISH THROUGHOUT. OETZMANN & Co. 67, 69, 71, 73, 77 & 79, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, NEAR TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON. THE TUDOR TOILET SERVICE, Black or Vandyke Brown, on Ivory Tinted Ware, or Dark Blue and White. Single Set 10s. 6d. A Large Stock of Toilet Services, from 38. 6d. to £10 per Set. 2 ft. 6 in. 2 ft. gin. 3 ft. 0 in. 3 ft. 6 in. 1 14 6 .. 2 12 6 2 15 0 .. 2 17 6 3 10 O A large assortment of EARLY ENGLISH CENTRE, OCCASIONAL EASY CHAIRS. Upholstered in Rich Silk Tapestries and Plush, with carved Banisters or stuffed back, 28s. 6d. each. An immense variety of Easy Chairs always on view in the Show Rooms. Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogues Post Free. THE HOTEL METROPOLE, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE AND WHITEHALL PLACE, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON, WHICH WILL BE READY FOR THE RECEPTION OF VISITORS EARLY IN THE SEASON OF 1885, IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN EUROPE, AND WILL CONTAIN ALL THAT MODERN IMPROVEMENTS CAN PROVIDE FOR THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF GUESTS. DEBRETT.-"A depository of information which I never open without amazement or admiration." PREFACE. B EBRETT," now in its 173rd year, is the oldest annual extant. It could not, however, have attained such a patriarchal age if successive editors and enterprising publishers had not kept abreast of the times, and endeavoured to endow it with juvenescence. Proof of recent endeavours may be found in the fact that during the last eight years the contents have been nearly quadrupled by the addition of new and the elaboration of old features. The present edition has been most carefully revised, and it will, I am confident, compare favourably with any of its predecessors, both for accuracy and scope of information. Indeed, the details relating to many large families are so complete, that it is only by means of this volume that the various branches can trace the changes that occur, from time to time, in the personnel, etc., of their numerous relatives. The contents may be said to bear the stamp of warranty, as in 1884 upwards of 20,000 correspondents furnished me with information relating to births, deaths, marriages, promotions, and alterations of addresses that had occurred in their families during the past year, while more than 17,000 corrected or approved the proofs that were submitted for their inspection. This circum stance indicates the extraordinary interest that our nobility and their relatives take in having family events correctly recorded. In future years this interest may prove of paramount importance to their descendants, by enabling them to discover evidence for legal or genealogical purposes, and to obtain clues that would otherwise be wanting. The constant requisition for old editions of "Debrett" affords ample proof of its recognised value for referential purposes. Considerable expense has been incurred in the procuration of information concerning residents abroad, and numerous collateral branches have been discovered, whose personality had been lost sight of. Combining with genealogical information the practical features of a directory, it enables the public to discover not only who and what So-and-so is, but where he or she lives, while reducing to a minimum the necessity for reference to Clergy, Navy, Army, Law, Indian, Medical, Civil Service, or other lists. In August of last year the Judges of County Courts were, by Royal Warrant, granted precedence immediately below Knights Bachelors, and the new title of His Honour Judge was created. It would appear, however, that both the rank and the prefix are ex officio, inasmuch as provision is neither made for the retention of either after resignation of office, nor for granting increased dignity to the Judges' wives. Although the characteristics of " Debrett" are generally known, I mention for the behoof of others, that : IT IS THE ONLY VOLUME in which any attempt is made to give : (i.) The residences of junior members of the families of Peers and Baronets and of their collateral branches, male and female. (ii.) The clubs and places of education of males. (iii.) The issues of females whose fathers were descended from a first Peer or Baronet in the male line. (iv.) Special indices to the surnames of Peers' children, daughters, sisters, and aunts |