|r PREFACE. 



of the rear, both national and State ; the results of elections ; the acts of State 

 Ltsiu"iarf* ; the rapid improvement of educational and charitable institutions 

 under the care of the State governments ; the surprising extension of the facili- 

 c* importation, oj-ecially of railroads; the resources of the several States, 

 *t>d all ibo* fact* whieh manifest their rapid progress. 



In Europe, the progrwv of the peaceful reconstruction of the Government 

 e.f France, under tlie control of Napoleon, has awakened unusual interest. The 

 improvement* in Turkey and tlie unsettled relations with Egypt ; the move- 

 ment* in S|ain. under the conduct of a provisional government, to inaugurate 

 popular institution* ; the modifications in "the relations existing between Eng- 

 land and Ireland ; the unsettled state of affairs in Italy, together with other 

 event* of lc** im|>ortance, and the movements among the nations of Eastern 

 Aia for a more free and friendly intercourse with the civilized world, are very 

 folly narrated in these pages. 



The progress of mechanical industry was displayed by the completion of the 

 Pacific Railroad, and the opening for navigation of the Suez Canal, besides 

 many other works less extensive and important, which are herein noticed. 



The diplomatic relations of the Federal Government were of a most friendly 

 character during the year, and the discussions or efforts to arrange every vexed 

 question were, by common consent, as it were, laid aside. Negotiations for 

 authority to construct a canal across the Isthmus of Darien, and for the acqui- 

 sition of San Domingo, were successfully made, and are stated in these pages. 



Tin? advance in the various branches of Astronomical, Chemical, and other 

 cieDcea, with new applications to useful purposes, are extensively described. 



Geographical discoveries have been actively pushed forward in various quar- 

 ter* of the globe, with interesting results. 



fhe record of Literature and Literary Progress is as extensive as during any 

 H year: The titles of all the more important works have been presented, 

 with omc remarks on the nature of their contents. 



5 hiMorr of the religious denominations of the country, with an account 



onvcntiona, plans of union, branches, membership, views on public 



and progress of opinions, are presented from official sources. The pre- 



T proceedings and opening of the -(Ecumenical Council in Eome are also 



fully narrated. 



f tribute has been given to the memory of deceased persons of note in 

 ftrjr department of society. 



Al mportant documents, messages, orders, treaties, and letters from official 

 I* ** bav c been inserted entire. 



