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 PREFACE

The following volume is an attempt to utilize on behalf of little children the life-work of many great men now almost forgotten. Amongst these may be specially mentioned : —

Nicolas Antoine Boulanger. He left school a reputed dunce, incapable of learning algebra. He died in 1759, in his fortieth year, a self-taught mathematician and an eminent engineer. He left behind him in MS. two works, LAntiquite devoilee par ses usages and LOri- gine du despotisme oriental, in which he ex- plained the connexion of fixed mental attitude with the enslavement of the masses, and of periodic reversal of attitude with mental eman- cipation and power. His books were published after his death in several editions, but seem to have mysteriously disappeared soon afterwards.

Thomas Wedgwood. He was assisted in his scientific researches by Erasmus Darwin (grandfather of Charles Darwin), a then famous physician. His life-long dream was to promote happiness on earth, not by the multiplication of