Hornby's aim, perhaps, was to present the book in the form of a narrative as well as in historical order, necessitating a fresh arrangement, with the consequent additions, variations, and omissions. This, although leaving the work substantially unaltered, has resulted in occasional repetitions and inconsistencies, and the attempt has been made to eliminate these with a view to general harmony. Some passages, again, have been omitted because they militate against modern canons of taste, or because they break the continuity of the text. With these exceptions, which have been kept within narrow limits, the original remains untouched.