I wish to thank my family for their encouragement while writing this book, particularly my wife Tess, who helped in checking the manuscript and proofs, and my son Robin, who, in addition to acting as my agent in England during my absences in Minorca, took many of the photographs and drew the general and geological maps. For the sketch of the Myotragus antelope I am indebted to my daughter-in-law Sandi. The photographs by Dolfo were provided by courtesy of the Mahon Office for the Promotion of Tourism, to whom grateful acknowledgement is made. Thanks are also due to Andy Lazell for photographs. 
A brief quotation is made in the book from Augustus Hervey's Journal (Erskine, D.) published by William Kimber, and also from The Straights Voyage, published by Basil Blackwell for the Luttrell Society, to all of whom due acknowledgement is made. For the list of birds seen on the island, I am indebted to John Bell of Ramblers' Association, through its party leader, Dr Roger Meetham. I acknowledge the courteous help during research of the staffs of Cambridge University Library, the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the University Library and National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, the National Army Museum, London, Linda Razzell of the Print Room of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and the Secretary of Navy Records Society. 
In Minorca itself I am indebted to Major G. Wemyss-Swan for help from his library, and Daphne Aston, FSCT, of the Escuela Inglesa, for help with translation work. 
Finally, I recall with gratitude the enthusiasm for my project of my late brother, Dr A. B. Taylor, CBE, DLitt, who gave me my first lessons in the technique of research, but unhappily did not live to see its fruition.
 

Editor's Note
In this new edition, specially composed for the Internet in the year 2004, where there has been any obviously out of date information it has been updated or left out altogether.  Many additional illustrations have been added.  Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders  and if any have been inadvertantly overlooked, restitution will be made at the earliest opportunity. 
Robin Taylor