PUBLISHERS' PREFACE HE publishing firm responsible for this enterprise has aimed at producing a complete, up-to-date, and scholarly Encyclopædia in a moderate compass. In the allotment of space to the various topics, NELSON'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA differs considerably from its predecessors. It is essentially a modern book. While topics of classical or antiquarian interest are not neglected, a new and special emphasis has been laid on subjects which are of wide and active interest to-day, such as biographies of living persons, recent developments in science, and the results of modern invention. By judicious condensation, and by recognizing the needs of the life of the world today, and especially of this part of the world, the publishers have succeeded in presenting information of greater practical value and upon a larger number of subjects than has ever before been brought within the same compass. Within the available space, the publishers have endeavored to insure four things:(1.) Accuracy. This applies to the brief summaries and illustrations as well as to the longer articles. (2.) Completeness.-Every topic is treated so as to present all the facts which readers other than specialists are likely to require. (3.) Clearness. Even the most technical subjects are discussed in language intelligible to such readers. (4.) Guidance for Students. A full and carefully selected bibliography is appended to each important article, to guide readers to the best sources for further study. This feature of the work places it in the front rank as a work of reference. The result is that NELSON'S ENCYCLOPEDIA contains all that the well-informed man of to-day needs to know, together with the guidance that a student requires. It is, in fact, a Complete Library of Reference. In the illustration of the work, the publishers have considered utility rather than 3 mere ornament. Technical and scientific illustrations are introduced to elucidate the text; reproductions of paintings, statuary, etc., to give some idea of the art of different ages and schools, or the character of scenery in different lands. In fact, not only can a wider range of subjects than is customary in general reference works be claimed, but also a greater number of illustrations. All of the leading cities of the world with their famous buildings and architectural monuments are represented. The reader may also see depicted ancient and modern civilization as well as nature in its many aspects. Portraits, which, owing to their human interest, are the most attractive of all illustrations, have been freely inserted. This work, whose most distinguishing feature is that its contents are kept current with changes and progress from year to year, is issued by Messrs. Thomas Nelson & Sons, and has been prepared and edited by competent scholars, writers, and practical experts of the day. NELSON'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA rests upon the reliability of its information, which has been thoroughly tested, the wide reach of its contents, and the unique means of keeping the material accurate to date. For its successful completion no efforts have been spared to obtain the services of scholars and men of letters of both the Old World and the New who are not only masters of their subjects but are able to expound them in simple language. Moreover, since the activities of the publishers are maintained in both Great Britain and America, it has been possible to unite the work of editors in both countries. The results justify the claim that NELSON'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA is truly international. The American articles have been written in the United States by leading authorities, while those dealing with European countries and institutions have been prepared in the Old World by scholars who are not only high authorities but have had unusual opportunities to use European libraries and collections. Furthermore, all articles of this latter class have undergone the scrutiny of American authorities and in their present form embody the results of American criticism and revision. THOMAS NELSON & SONS. EDINBURGH: NEW YORK. NELSON'S ENCYCLOPÆDIA. PARTIAL LIST OF THE EDITORS AND SPECIALISTS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS WORK. Editor-in-Chief: JOHN H. FINLEY, LL.D., President of the College of the City of New York. Canadian Editor: WILLIAM PETERSON, LL.D., C.M.G., Principal of McGill University, Montreal, Canada. European Editor: GEORGE SANDEMAN, M.A., Edinburgh, Scotland. Aeronautical AERONAUTICS. KRUCKMAN, ARNOLD, Aeronautical Editor of the New York "World." FERRIS, RICHARD, B.S., C.E., Author of "How It Flies." Soils, Fertilizers, AGRICULTURE. TRUE, ALFRED C., A.M., Ph.D., Director of the Office of Experiment Stations, U. S. Department of Agriculture. ALLEN, EDWIN WEST, B.S., Ph.D., Assistant Director, Editor of "Experiment Station Record." MEAD, DR. ELWOOD, Chief of Irrigation and Drainage Investigation. and Farm Machin- BEAL, W. H., Editor of "Experiment Station Record." ery. Corn, Cotton, Tobacco, Wheat, and other Field Crops. Horticulture. Animal Diseases. SCHULTE, J. I., Associate Editor of "Experiment Station Record." SMITH, C. B., Associate Editor of "Experiment Station Record." WILCOX, DR. E. V., Associate Editor of "Experiment Station EVANS, DR. W. H., Chief of Insular Experiment Stations. MOHLER, DR. JOHN R., Pathologist of the Bureau of Animal HILGARD, EUGENE W., LL.D., Ph.D., Professor of Agriculture, WALLACE, ROBERT, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., Professor of Agriculture ANTHROPOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY. WISSLER, CLARK, Curator of Ethnology, American Museum of Natural History, New York. HADDON, ALFRED C., M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., University Lecturer in Ethnology, Cambridge; Author of "Studies of Man." KEANE, AUGUSTUS H., LL.D., F.R.G.S., Emeritus Professor of Hindustani, University College, London. HEPBURN, PROF. DAVID, M.D., C.M., M.R.C.S., F.R.S.E., Professor of Anatomy and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Wales. MOONEY, JAMES, Ethnologist, American Bureau of Ethnology. ARCHEOLOGY. PETRIE, WM. MATTHEW FLINDERS, D.C., Litt.D., LL.D., F.R.S., turer in Assyrian, University College, London, formerly SAYCE, REV. ARCHIBALD H., M.A., LL.D., D.D., Professor of MACRITCHIE, DAVID, F.S.A. Scot., Authority on Gypsy Lore and COLES, F. R., Assistant Keeper, Scottish National Museum of BIOGRAPHY (AMERICAN). GLADDEN, GEORGE, formerly Editor of "Current Literature." HUBERT, PHILIP G., JR., formerly Dramatic Editor, New York "Evening Post." HAWORTH, PAUL L., Lecturer in History, Columbia University. Southern Biographies. American Biographies-Franklin, Washington, etc. John Marshall. U. S. Grant. James Madison. Roosevelt, DERRY, JOSEPH T., Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, Ga.; BALDWIN, SIMEON E., A.M., LL.D., Judge of the Supreme Court CHURCH, WILLIAM C., Editor "Army and Navy Journal," HUNT, GAILLARD, Chief of the Passport Bureau, U. S. Depart- LEUPP, FRANCIS E., A.M., LL.B., former U. S. Commissioner of Martin Van Buren, THOMPSON, HOLLAND, Professor of History, College of the City John W. Tyler. Marquette, William Penn. Daniel Webster. Biographies. Revision of Literary of New York. THWAITES, REUBEN G., LL.D., Superintendent of the Wiscon- FISHER, SYDNEY G., L.H.D., LL.D., Author of "The Making of WHEELER, EVERETT P., of the New York Bar. BIOGRAPHY (FOREIGN). SHARP, R. FARQUHARSON, Assistant Librarian, British Museum, STRONACH, GEORGE, M.A., Chief Assistant Librarian, Advocates' MACPHERSON, HECTOR, Editor "Edinburgh Evening News"; POLLAK, GUSTAV, formerly Editor "Century Dictionary of SMITH, DAVID NICHOL, M.A., Professor of English Literature, Poesy." CHAMBERS, EDMUND K., B.A., Acting Assistant Secretary, Board of Education, England; Editor of "Red Letter Edition of Shakespeare." |