INTRODUCTION

THIS volume might well be entitled, "THE WORLD UP-TO-DATE," for such is the true scope of its contents. It sets before the reader in a nutshell all important things which have been achieved by various nations for the social, moral, material and intellectual uplifting of mankind.

No field of modern research has been left untouched; no arena of activity has been neglected; no portion of the globe has been overlooked or forgotten when gathering facts for this, the most concise and yet comprehensive work ever offered the public.

For brevity, it is much like the History of America which one of our great historians was recently asked to write. Upon asking the size required, the publishers, with a keen knowledge of the wants and needs of the American people in this busy age, replied-. "Give us a history in ten thousand words and we will pay you one hundred thousand dollars."

In the shop, on the railroad, in the store, on the farm, in the factory, the counting room, the society meeting, in casual contact on the bustling street, in the seclusion of the fireside and amid the whirl of mighty mechanism, interrogations--subjective or objective-- constantly confront the individual, all of which are correctly answered here.

New conditions in every sphere of effort have superseded the old; new problems have arisen requiring new solutions in order to assure success. New ideas, new plans all must be worked out, and herein are found ways and means to this end. This volume, therefore, comprehending as it does all branches of knowledge, appeals directly to the actual and vital needs of every class of men and women. It can, in fact, be called a complete modern library, available to transform the home, at will, into a veritable school for practical instruction.

The publishers have embellished these pages with photograph-, secured at an expense of thousands of dollars. and, in some cases even at the risk of human life. The interior of the factory, the scientist at work in his laboratory, the different processes of manufacturing, splendid views of nature in her sublimest moods, new methods of mining and, in fact, every subject susceptible of being photographed are here presented to the eye, with the aid of the camera, and grandly supplement the text matter.

I confidently believe that this volume will prove of practical use in everyday life to all who study its pages.