I have dealt in the Introduction with the character and scope of Father du jarric’s Histoire, the manner of its composition, and the nature and value of the historical testimony which it furnishes. I need only add, or rather repeat, here that its peculiar value lies in the fa& that it reproduces or faithfully summarises nearly all the most valuable of the letters of the missionary Fathers written prior to the year 1610. The inaccessibility of these records adds greatly to the value of du jarric’s work. The original Jesuit letters are jealously preserved and widely dispersed. Age has rendered many of them almost illegible; while their translation demands an extensive acquaintance with the languages of medieval Europe. Even such of them as have been translated and published in English have a limited and exclusive circulation, and are accessible only to those who live within reach of one or other of the few libraries in which they are to be found. It is not surprising, therefore, that the contents of these letters are little known, and that jesuit testimony has hitherto received little attention at the hands of the historian.

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