THE last part of our First Volume was published in 1917. During the earlier years of the war we were able to complete the preparation of that part, but all preliminary work for the Second Volume was seriously delayed. Little could be done but the collection of Patristic evidence and a provisional selection of MSS. for the books of Samuel and Kings.

The election of one of the Editors to the Ely Professorship made it impossible for him to continue his full share in the work of the Septuagint. Arrangements were made with Dr H. St John Thackeray to meet the difficulty. He has given us much help in the collation of MSS., and has contributed a detailed study of the evidence of Josephus in the books of Samuel and Kings.

The work of collecting the manuscript evidence has been materially lightened by the generous help of Professor A. Rahlfs of Gottingen, who allowed us to use many of his photographs of LXX MSS., and arranged for the collation of these, and of others procured by us, by competent scholars among his fellow-workers, on terms arranged between the University Press and himself. All the collations have been revised by us, and we have found that all reached the highest standard of accuracy. Without this help the publication of the present part would have been still further delayed.