My interest in the life and work of Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, fourth Earl of Carnarvon, arose from a visit to Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the family home, in 1978, when I had the opportunity to discuss with Henry George Reginald Molyneux Herbert, the seventh Earl, aspects of his great-great-grandfather's political and literary career. It was largely due to his subsequent interest and encouragement that the present work was undertaken, and I wish to record my grateful thanks to him. Following his untimely death in 2001, I have much appreciated the generous access to the family papers at Highclere given by his son, Geordie, the eighth Earl.

During the course of the preparation of this volume, I have received valuable assistance from many individuals, libraries, and other institutions. I have particularly benefited from the advice and comments of Professor John Vincent during the last three decades. I am also most grateful to Dr Jon Lawrence, Literary Editor of the Royal Historical Society, Dr Hester Higton, copy-editor, and Pauline Gordon for their practical help during many stages of the production of this book. Jennifer Thorp, archivist at Highclere, was kind enough to share with me her detailed expertise on the fourth Earl's papers and was most helpful in answering many questions on the collection over the years. I would also wish to thank her husband, Neil, for making copies of most of the photographs that illustrate the work.

I should like to acknowledge the help given by the staffs of several of the institutions visited, particularly the British Library and the London Library, as well as the record offices, private individuals, and other bodies named in the list of manuscript collections consulted. All readily gave their permission to include relevant material in this book. John Rolton has been of outstanding help to me from the outset; he has done superb work in pursuing numerous and often obscure references and in providing background information on many topics.

My greatest debt, however, is to my wife, Tessa, for her very practical assistance at all stages of the project, taking much of the burden from me in many instances, and for her sustained interest in the subject of the book; this made the editing of the diaries a most enjoyable and worthwhile experience. To her, I dedicate this book.