Beatrix Potter - The Journal of Beatrix Potter from 1881 to 1897

THANKS are due to the Executors of the late Mrs. Heelis (Beatrix Potter), for permission to publish her Journal, and special thanks are due to Mr. C. H. D. Acland of the National Trust for the loan of the code-written sheets.

Appreciation is due to the late Miss Margaret Hammond, a close friend of Mrs. Heelis, who gave help and encouragement while the translation was being prepared, and who also read through and commented on some of the earlier sections of the Journal.

Many people, both in England and Scotland, have contributed to the making of this book by supplying information associated with the Journal. Of these helpers special mention should be made of Mrs. Susan Ludbrook, the late Curator of Hill Top, Sawrey, and, in Scotland, of Miss Lucy E. Cox, M.B.E., who is the present owner of Heath Park, re-named The Lodge, Birnam. Miss Cox not only allowed me to visit the house, but also introduced me to the Rector of St. Marys Episcopal Church, Birnam, the Rev. O. G. Lewis.

Mr. Lewis was instrumental in providing much valuable information relative to the Birnam Section of the Journal, as well as to some of the other sections, and he also enlisted the help of Mr. Henry R. Cook, a former Associate Editor of the Dundee Courier and Advertiser, who checked references to local history; and also of Miss Ethel L. Watson, Associate of the Library Association, a librarian of great experience who submitted valuable contributions on obscure points of Scottish places and history.

In the preparation of the Family Trees, help was received from the late Capt. K. W. G. Duke, Mrs. W. F. Gaddum, Mr. Robert B. Hutton and the late Mrs. Susan Ludbrook.

In verifying the details of Beatrix Potters many references to Art, History, Botany, Natural History, Geology, etc., I am indebted to numerous people, including personnel of the Royal Academy of Arts, the British Museum (Natural History), the Wellington Museum, the Linnean Society of London, the Society of Antiquaries and to my cousins Miss Lucy Andrews, Miss Mary Audsley and Canon Scrutton. Also, Mr. John Clegg has given valuable help in regard to Beatrix Potters many references to Fungi.

Thanks are due to Barbara Cartland for permission to visit and photograph Camfield Place, and also to Mr. Robert B. Hutton for the photograph of Caroline Hutton. To my sister, Miss Enid Linder, I am indebted for the colour photographs of the places associated with the Journal, and for reading through the whole of the text and pointing out a number of doubtful passages, which enabled corrections to be made after referring back to the original code-written sheets. I am also under an obligation to Mr. L. E. Deval for his very conscientious reading of the proofs.

My sincere thanks are due to Professor Douglas Hamer for his very thorough reading of the third reprint, and for pointing out some inaccuracies of transcription and numerous small errors which had hitherto been overlooked.

To Mr. H. L. Cox, M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.Ae.S., I am grateful for his excellent Appreciation, and to the publishers for their care in the preparation of the text and for the very fine reproductions of the water-colours, drawings and photographs.

L. L.