They possessed from the first the art of disappearing swiftly and silently, when large folk whom they do not wish to meet come blundering by; and this art they have developed until to Men it may seem magical.

. . . they are nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements.

They are quick of hearing and sharp-eyed, and though they are inclined to be fat and do not hurry unnecessarily, . . .

. . . and now they avoid us with dismay and are becoming hard to find.

Even in ancient days they were, as a rule, shy of 'the Big Folk', as they call us, . . .

. . . though they were skilful with tools.

They do not and did not understand or like machines more complicated than a forge-bellows, a water-mill, or a hand-loom, . . .

. . . for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-ordered and well-farmed countryside was their favorite haunt.

Hobbits are an unobtrusive but very ancient people, more numerous formerly than they are today; . . .

For such readers a few notes on the more important points are here collected from Hobbit-lore, and the first adventure is briefly recalled.

Many, however, may wish to know more about this remarkable people from the outset, while some may not possess the earlier book.

. . . in the great events of that Age that are here related.

. . . since they told of his journey into the East and his return: an adventure which later involved all the Hobbits . . .

. . . the first Hobbit to become famous in the world at large, and called by him "There and Back Again" . . .

That story was derived from the earlier chapters of the Red Book, composed by Bilbo himself . . .

. . . that has already been published, under the title of "The Hobbit."

Further information will also be found in the selection from the Red Book of Westmarch . . .

This book is largely concerned with Hobbits, and from its pages a reader may discover much of their character and a little of their history.

Prologue: (Part One) Concerning Hobbits