The present book, which was submitted in December 1903 to the Philosophical Faculty of Heidelberg University, as a dissertation for the Ph. D. degree, is for the greater part the result of investigations I undertook three years ago at the suggestion of Prof. Johannes Hoops of Heidelberg, to whom my hearty gratitude is due for advice and various hints as to the execution of my task.
As a look at the list of texts quoted will show, almost every Middle-English text of any importance has been examined. The large number of quotations will, I hope, be deemed a guarantee against hasty statements and rash conclusions on my part.
In conclusion I wish to tender my best thanks to the Rev. W. Thomson M. A., of this city, who has kindly assisted me in correcting the proofsheets.