been taken at first hand from the title-page, and it is hoped may be thoroughly depended upon even to the smallest particular. In preparing the Book List a reasonable number of bibliographies and other aids have been included in order to enable any one who so wishes to carry his investigations to a more scholarly completeness. These are in the First Division, pages 3-51. Division II of the Book List embraces works which cover more than one dynasty or general chronological period; while Division III includes those which fall entirely within some one general period. Part II, pages 165-468, consists of Topics and References arranged in eighty-seven sections, which fall into nine groups. The arrangement of the sections according to the reigns of monarchs, and of the groups according to the duration of dynasties, is not due to any predilection of the compiler, but to the practical consideration that books are largely written along these lines and are in this way most readily broken into references. Each dynastic group usually closes with a general section devoted to society or institutions, because many works devote space at those points to a consideration or recapitulation of such topics. Each section contains a summary of subtopics. Here again the compiler has not sought to force his material into any preconceived mold, but has merely collected it and arranged the usual well-known topics and expressed them in the most commonly used phrases. If by chance unsuitable topics have crept in, it is to be hoped that no one will waste time in hunting them up. In each section, following the summary, are to be found references to Sources, which are for the most part a little more difficult for the untrained reader to use than the Modern Accounts which follow. He who reads in the Sources, however, will eventually be richly repaid, experiencing a satisfaction and attaining historical insight not vouchsafed to readers who keep to the beaten track of the Modern Accounts. students. Readers who desire special bibliographical criticism are referred to the bibliographical aids noted in the Book List. In conclusion, the writer wishes gratefully to acknowledge the painstaking care of Messrs. Ginn and Company, and their unfailing courtesy and patience in what must have been a most trying task. He desires also to express his indebtedness to the librarians and other friends who have done so much to lighten his labors. Special acknowledgment is due to Mr. Leonard Taylor Lemon, of Richmond, Indiana, for the considerable assistance he has afforded in the preparation of this work. Miss Josephine C. Smith, M.A., of the North Des Moines High School, has generously contributed the paragraphs of Illustrative Material. LONDON, ENGLAND HENRY L. CANNON |