For a long time considerable curiosity has been expressed about the manuscript of De Profundis, which was known to be in my possession, the author having mentioned its existence to many other friends. The book requires little introduction, and scarcely any explanation. I have only to record that it was written by my friend during the last months of his imprisonment, that it was the only work he wrote while in prison, and the last work in prose he ever wrote. (The Ballad of Reading Gaol was not composed or even planned until he had regained his liberty.)