"The intention of the publisher was to submit to his patrons and subscribers, such anecdotes of Oliver Cromwell and his family as could be collected, to arrange them in their different classes of character, and as nearly as possible in the order of time. In proceeding, he had, by the kindness of a gentleman, access to a valuable collection of ancient newspapers, in which were discovered many interesting and authentic passages not hitherto made public in any other shape; from this circumstance he was induced to abandon the first intention, and compile from them, with the addition of other documents which will be found in the course of the work. The original manner of spelling the names of persons, places, letters, proclamation, etc. has been followed"--Introduction.