These records of my personal experiences during the war are a contribution towards the elucidation of the truth so far as I was able to ascertain it at the time, and will, I hope, enable many to understand, better the events of these memorable years. A certain amount has been omitted on the recommendation of eminent counsel, and some names have also been left out, but for the rest the entries in my diary have been left substantially as they were written, and are a faithful record of my impressions during this extraordinary and eventful epoch.<br><br>My grateful thanks are due to some most kind friends for reading the proofs and giving me much valuable advice; to Lady Maude for allowing me to use her late husbands letters to me; and to the writers of other letters for giving me permission to publish them.