PREFACE 



ONE of the most notable features in this volume of the ANNUAL CYCLOPAEDIA 

 is to be found in the group of patriotic articles the Grand Army of the Repub- 

 lic, the Loyal Legion, the United States Medal of Honor, and Memorial Day. 

 The article on the Medal of Honor is especially valuable from the fact that it 

 presents lists (not accessible elsewhere) of the soldiers and sailors who have re- 

 ceived the medal. These articles are illustrated with a brilliant colored plate. 

 Another illustrated article of special interest is that on Modern Houses, which 

 shows the wonderful progress in American domestic architecture, with views of 

 some of the finest residences that have been erected in recent years. At the 

 other end of the social scale we find the remarkable series of Strikes, which are 

 classified and set forth in a way to be convenient for ready reference. The Dis- 

 asters and other Events of the year are also recorded briefly in chronological 

 order. Among the articles that will be found timely this year are those on 

 the laws, customs, and theories of Elections, on the Fisheries and treaties relating 

 thereto, and on the Interstate Commerce Law, the last named being from the 

 pen of Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, chairman of the Commission. Closely related 

 to these is the learned article on Treaty-making Power of the United States. In 

 relation to education, we have the articles on Industrial Education, Indian Edu- 

 cation, Mind-Reading, Physical Training, and Yolapiik. Among the organiza- 

 tions treated are the Law-and-Order League, the Ancient Order of United Work- 

 men, Mutual Aid Societies, and the White Cross Society. The scientific articles 

 include that on Astronomical Progress and Discovery, by Prof. Harkness, of the 

 Naval Observatory at Washington ; Chemistry and Metallurgy, by Dr. William 

 J. Youmans, editor of "The Popnlar Science Monthly"; those on Emery- 

 Wheels and Engineering, by Col. Charles L. Norton ; that on utilizing the power 

 of Niagara Falls ; and the description of the new Croton Aqueduct. Among 

 the industrial topics treated are those on Photo-Engraving, Porpoise-Hunting, 

 Postal Facilities, Salt-Mining, and Tree-Planting. The special articles, on sub- 

 jects not treated every year, include those on Domesticated Buffalo, Guns for 

 Coast Defense, Library Laws, Polo, Records of the Turf, and Prison Reform. 

 Besides the usual general article on Patents, some of the inventions of popular 

 interest are treated, including Mechanical Carriers, Naphtha Motors, and the 

 mysterious Keely Motor. The necrology of the year includes Henry Ward 



