The copyright holders in Virginia Woolf's work, her niece and nephew Angelica Garnett and Quentin Bell, are unique witnesses of many of the circumstances and characters touched on in these diaries and, living as I happily do in close proximity (especially to the latter, my husband), I have greatly benefited from their experience and help.

In conclusion, I think it proper to acknowledge the fact that the publication of Virginia Woolf's diaries in this extended form is only possible because royalties from her copyrights inherited by my husband have been used to defray the costs of preparation and research. Whether she would have been more appalled or amused that her earnings from beyond the grave should be put to such use is a question I often ask myself; but for better or for worse, the freedom and independence of judgement this allows me is something I think she would approve.

ANNE OLIVIER BELL

Sussex, May 1981