PREFACE 



latter class of men, both in the way of infor- 

 mation derived from their publications and in 

 the way of verification of facts. These men 

 are not only bringing distinction to their 

 states, and, through their discoveries, adding 

 enormously to the national wealth, but they 

 are conspicuous examples of a fine and rich 

 unselfishness. 



The New Earth is not a fanciful, unreal 

 place ; for, though it has many curious myste- 

 ries, some yet far from solution, and though it 

 is now and then shrouded in fascinating mists, 

 it is a tremendously practical realm, in many 

 ways, as I hope may develop in the pages to 

 follow, the most commanding in its practical 

 influence of any realm or any era in history. 



W. S. H. 



VI 



