THE EARLDOM OF MAR IN SUNSHINE AND IN SHADE DURING FIVE HUNDRED YEARS. WITH INCIDENTAL NOTICES OF THE LEADING CASES OF SCOTTISH DIGNITIES FROM THE IN REPLY TO AN ADDRESS TO THE PEERS OF SCOTLAND BY LETTERS ΤΟ THE LORD CLERK REGISTER OF SCOTLAND BY THE LATE ALEXANDER EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES, PREFACE. IN presenting the present work to the public, I have endeavoured to carry out the intention of my late husband, Lord Crawford, who was very anxious to have brought it to a termination as early as possible last year. For this purpose he had worked unremittingly for many months,-the subject of which these Letters treat requiring not only great research into the history of past times, but also great accuracy and exactness of detail. Before the commencement of his illness in August last year, he had to a great extent completed his work; and he laid it aside for a week or two, pending our proposed journey to England, before revising what remained to be done, and preparing it finally for the press. Instead of this it pleased God to call him to his rest; and at the end of the year his active and laborious life was brought to a close, leaving, alas ! this and others of his works unfinished. I have placed the manuscript in the hands of a gentleman in all respects thoroughly competent to |