FOREWORD. A58 In the following pages an attempt has been made to provide in a comprehensive form the information usually sought respecting the government, population, finance, manufactures, natural products, industries, education, sport, and defense of the United States, and with a view to immediate reference to any object desired a copious Index has been provided which should render such search both easy and rapid. An extended descriptive account of the various States and Territories of the Union, each accompanied by a sketch map, is one of the features of the publication. The increasing interest which is now being taken in external affairs has induced the inclusion of geographical and statistical particulars relating to each Foreign Country in the World. The war now raging is dealt with in two expert articles devoted to the land and sea operations, and the two combined will be found to supply a full and lucid account of the progress of hostilities so far as they have developed up to the present time. A page is also allotted to the various European naval bases and ship-yards. This volume is not put forward as by any means perfect; indeed, some of its shortcomings have become apparent while the pages have been passing through the press, but an honest and laborious effort has been made to secure in small compass a valuable and easy work of reference. The Editor invites the assistance of his readers in making future editions more extensively serviceable, and will welcome very heartily any suggestions which may tend to its improvement. |