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 ii the biographies, have given, we believe, exceptional value and interest to the work. In some cases where no material was furnished by the subject of the sketch, the biography is necessarily less full.

The first and the second (the "Washington") volumes contain for the most part names of men whose life-work has been national in its import and connects itself naturally with our National Capital, or who are actual residents of Washington. Succeeding volumes will contain biographies of eminent men from all parts of the United States.

The selection of names has been carefully made, and in every case has been approved by the Advisory Board whose names appear on a following page. The members of this Board were chosen by the publishers in advance. The appearance of biographies of the Advisory Board in these volumes is due not to their own vote and approval, but to the insistent wish of the publishers.

"Men of Mark in America" is for the most part made up of biographies of men who are now in active life, to whom the country is indebted for its progress in the last half century. We particularly note the work of the younger men who have become prominent in the development of the nation into a "world-power" within the last decade.

The introductory essay by that most deservedly popular literary exponent of "true Americanism," Edward Everett Hale, author of "The Man Without a Country," illustrates the hope and the purpose of the publishers in bringing out this series of volumes. For the second volume, Hamilton W. Mabie, the distinguished essayist and editor, has prepared an introductory essay upon "American Ideals in Literature."

The selection and approval of names for this list of biographies has been made with reference to the achievements and the character of the men whose biographies have been written.

December 15, 1905. Washington, D.C.