THERE are possibly almost as many fallacies on the subject of old oak as there are connected with family portraits. The cicerone who gravely assures you that the gaze of a certain portrait will follow the beholder in his passage round the room is not lacking in a similar display of imagination when affecting to give you the history of chest and chair and cabinet. The value of tradition must be admitted; but in the science of archaeology the unaided eye of faith is insufficient.

The object which the writer has aimed at in the present work is to classify the various examples of each article of furniture as near as may be in chronological order. I have in the great majority of cases, and wherever it has been possible, based my descriptions and theories on personal investigation of the articles discussed, whether English or Continental, occasionally supporting conjectures as to dates by the external evidence of contemporary writers or manuscript illustrators. In studying the history of furniture, it should always be remembered that the restoration of rare or unusual objects in one's mind's eye, though an intensely fascinating occupation, is one which is apt to lead astray. Viollet le Duc, while giving a most astounding series of details from personal research, obviously romances at times through this love of elaboration. While admiring the greatness of his master-mind, I have endeavoured to withstand the insidious temptation of reconstruction.

If any apology is needed for what may be termed old oak worship, I may say that the final aim of art is -or ought to be-beauty, and that the cult of old oak is really only one aspect of the pursuit of beauty.

As regards the collecting proclivity, it is singular to remark how the remains of the old Viking spirit crops up in the English of to-day. It is shown in an intense desire to 'get about' the 'travel hunger' which seizes on no inconsiderable proportion of our fellow countrymen. The desire to sack and burn may be lacking, but it has been replaced by the acquisitive instinct, which prompts men to plunder more peacefully. This sense has caused the temporary disappearance of many articles of profound public interest into private collections. On the other hand, it has been responsible for the rescue of innumerable antiquities from oblivion and destruction. Many priceless coffers and early heaumes and bassinettes which had descended to such base uses as receptacles for vestry coals or well-pitchers have, by the efforts of collectors, been once more appreciated at their proper value. We must also remember that these treasures acquired by collectors often find their way, by a natural process of progressive elevation of taste, into some national museum, where they can be seen and studied for all time.