The DUKE of CLARENCE lately passed in your Majesty’s kingdom of Hanover, and in the different States of Germany, the History and Antiquities of your Majesty’s Royal House occupied a considerable share of his attention. His Royal Highness collected a number of valuable documents, relating chiefly to objects which had in some measure escaped the notice of preceding inquirers; and finding them of great importance, as illustrating many doubtful points in the family records, I besought and obtained permission to lay them at your Majesty’s feet in their present form.
The historical Memoir which accompanies these documents has been compiled from the best authorities ; and gives a correct though short view of the lives of your Majesty’s illustrious Ancestors. I most humbly hope it will be found not altogether unacceptable to your Majesty, nor uninteresting to the great body of your Majesty’s loyal subjects. A history of the House of Brunswick has long been desired by the British public : the appearance, therefore, of. the present volume may induce some of our eminent writers to undertake such a work ; and the records it contains cannot fail to facilitate their labour. With the most profound respect, devotion, and loyalty.