ABSTRACT
This volume is issued for the Centenary o f the Hakluyt Society, a proud event which the Council believes worthy o f com memoration. In the hundred years o f its existence the Society has published a hundred and ninety-three serial volumes and thirty-three extra volumes which, though prepared voluntarily and in their spare time by editors o f divers professions, his torians, geographers, sailors, soldiers, archivists and explorers, have not, I venture to say, been without importance in the promotion o f knowledge nor interest for a large circle o f readers. Scattered all over the world though they are, our Members are united by a bond o f common interest, and the Council sends this book out to them with cordial good wishes and with confidence that it will strengthen that bond. In it we have claimed the privilege o f a centenarian, and written the tale o f our own origin and objects, o f our youth, our adventures and vicissitudes and o f our maturity and its problems. For those o f them who are not well versed in the life and work o f our patron saint, Richard Hakluyt, Dr Williamson’s masterly essay will afford delightful reading. The history o f our Society itself, which, though little known, has much human as well as learned interest, has been written with knowledge and charm by Sir William Foster, who has been a Member since 1893 as well as a Member o f Council, Hon. Secretary and President. In their essay on collections o f narratives o f travel Mr Crone and Mr Skelton have, I believe, opened up a new subject in English historical literature, and many people as well as Hakluytians will find it a valuable work o f reference. For the index we are indebted to Mr A. Hugh Carrington, a Member o f Council, while the lists o f members and o f publications have been brought up to date by our indefatigable Hon. Secretary.
