BY THE EDITOR
[v]The Authorof these Journals requested me, in January1865, a few days before his death, to take charge ofthem with a view to publication at some future time. Heleft that time to my discretion, merely remarking thatMemoirs of this kind ought not, in his opinion, to belocked up until they had lost their principal interest bythe death of all those who had taken any part in theevents they describe. He placed several of the earliervolumes at once in my hands, and he intimated to hissurviving brother and executor, Mr. Henry Greville, hisdesire that the remainder should be given me for thispurpose. The injunction was at once complied with afterMr. Charles Greville’s death, and this interesting deposithas now remained for nearly ten years in my possession.In my opinion this period of time is long enough to removeevery reasonable objection to the publication of a contemporaryrecord of events already separated from us by amuch longer interval, for the transactions related in thesevolumes commence in 1818 and end in 1837. I thereforecommit to the press that portion of these Memoirs[vi]which embraces the Reigns of King George IV. andKing William IV., ending with the Accession of herpresent Majesty.
In accepting the trust and deposit which Mr. Grevillethought fit to place in my hands, I felt, and still feel,that I undertook a task and a duty of considerableresponsibility; but from the time and the manner inwhich it was offered me I could not decline it. I hadlived for more than five-and-twenty years in the dailyintercourse o