iv PREFACE. 



tern of revenue and taxation ; the strength of local banks, and the demand for 

 Government paper currency ; the commerce, manufactures, and general state of 

 the country ; the finances of the States ; their debts and resources ; their edu- 

 cational, charitable, and reformatory institutions ; the various political conven- 

 tions of the year, with their nominations and platforms ; the results of elections ; 

 also commercial and financial conventions and their proceedings ; the proceed- 

 ings of State Legislatures on the various local matters of importance ; the exten- 

 sion of railroads and telegraphs, and all those improvements involved in the 

 rapid progress of the country. 



The compass of this work embraces the world's history during the year, in 

 every department of human activity of sufficient importance to be a matter of 

 record. A special article is devoted to the affairs of every country, which con- 

 tains a sketch of its history during the year, and all official and reliable infor- 

 mation on area, population, religion, education, finances, army, navy, commerce, 

 political affairs, military operations, and the reforms effected. The great war in 

 the East will be found to be presented with most full and accurate details. 



The religious history of the year is set forth in special articles on the great 

 religious divisions and denominations, containing a mass of information hardly 

 accessible elsewhere in any language. 



The nature and progress of the great " Engineering " works of mankind in 

 all countries ; the important " Mechanical Improvements " ; and the inventions 

 and discoveries relative to the "Phonograph," "Telegraphy," and other de- 

 partments of activity, are illustrated and described in these pages. 



The manifestations of " Astronomical Phenomena " ; the advance and dis- 

 coveries in " Chemistry," such as the liquefaction of gases, new metals and com- 

 pounds, with new and valuable applications, are fully presented. 



The narrative of "Geographical Discoveries" in the different parts of the 

 earth is very complete ; also under the title " Earth " are summaries of the area, 

 population, and religion of the large divisions of the globe, according to the 

 latest statistical information. 



The record of " Literature and Literary Progress " in the United States and 

 many other countries is as important as in any previous year. 



The biographical department is quite full, embracing a very large number of 

 men who have come to distinction during the year, with brief notices of de- 

 ceased persons of distinction in all pursuits. 



The volume contains numerous illustrations of noted cities, places, and build- 

 ings in all parts of the world ; also steel portraits of the English premier, Earl 

 Beaconsfield, the United States Secretary of State, William M. Evarts, and Dom 

 Pedro, Emperor of Brazil. 



All important documents, messages, orders, and letters, from officials and 

 others, have been inserted entire. 



Great efforts have been made to secure the completest information from all 

 parts of the world, and it is felt that in its several departments this work may 

 be safely consulted as the completest and most reliable book of reference. 



