Chapter I: Preface

This book contains more than one thousand facts, many of which are not generally known to the average person; but all of them are of interest to humankind, and a knowledge of many of them is essential.

The author has used the simplest English, and has avoided, as far as possible, all technical or scientific terms. He has endeavored not to fall into the common error of making his explanations harder to understand than the subjects treated.

This book is not intended for the scientist, nor does it claim to be exhaustive.

In the space of a few hundred pages the writer has presented the thousand or more things which are really worth knowing, and which are usually described at unprofitable length and without that simplicity of expression so essential to clearness.

To find what you want consult the Index.

Abbreviations in Common Use

Abbreviations given are those which are frequently used. For complete list of abbreviations, the reader is referred to any unabridged dictionary.

A. B. or B. A.--Bachelor of Arts.

A. D.--In the Year of Our Lord.

Agt.--agent.

A. M. or M. A.--Master of Arts.

bbl.--barrel.

B. Agr.--Bachelor of Agriculture.

B. C.--Before Christ.

B. D.--Bachelor of Divinity.

B. L.--Bachelor of Laws.

B. M. or B. Mus.--Bachelor of Music.

B. Pd.--Bachelor of Pedagogy.

B. Ph.--Bachelor of Philosophy.

B. S.--Bachelor of Surgery.

B. S. or B. Sc.--Bachelor of Science.

Capt.--Captain.

C. E.--Civil Engineer.