While in this edition of Winthrop's Journal we have followed, as Dr. Hosmer explains in his Introduction, the text prepared by Savage, it has been thought Wise to add devices which will make the dates easier for the reader to follow; but these have, it is hoped, been given such a form that the reader will have no difficulty in distinguishing added words or figures from those belonging to the original text. Winthrop makes no division into chapters. In this edition the text has, for the reader's convenience, been broken by headings repre senting the years. These, however, in accordance with modern usage, have been set at the beginning of January, not at the date with which Winthrop began his year, the first of March. The dates set in the inner margins of the headlines to our pages have been arranged on the same plan. Early in 1635 Winthrop abandons in his text the Roman names of the months, substituting, in accordance with Puritan sentiment, a system of numbering, beginning with March as the first month. In this edition the more; familiar names of the months are inserted in italics.
