The nrst of the people to be thanked for their help during the
composition of this work is Professor I.M. Bochenski, under whom I had
the good fortune to study for an extended period of time. Without his
help, it is doubtful that this work would have been writt"l1 at all.
Among the other professors who helped along the way, I would like to
cite in particular Professors A.F. Utz, M.D. Philippe and N. Luyten of
the University of Fribourg. Many friends were present at the birth of
the ideas contained in this book. By naming K.G. Ballestrem, T.l.
Blakeley and M.F. Gagern, I do not want to slight any of the rest. It
was A. Spiekermann in Hollinghofen who saw to it that other
preoccupations did not rob me of all the time needed for the study of
the subject-matter and to the composition of this treatise. Of
particular help in getting sources from the libraries of the world were
Miss Lifschitz of the Institute of East-European Studies and Mr. Uldry
of the Cantonal Library in Fribourg, Switzerland. Finally, my patient
typist, Mrs. Frey in Munster, deserves special mention for her beautiful
work.