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 general histories. In short, no conceivable source of information has been neglected, and to this have been added the skill and diligence of careful compilers and the oversight of expert editors.

Recently every volume has undergone revision, to bring down to the present year every article that needed alteration or addition. The reader should bear in mind that a work as large as this cannot be put through the press in a day. The world moves, and all move with it, revolutions sometimes culminate in an hour, and Byron is not the only man that has risen in the morning to find himself famous. In a certain memorable year of our history the two great parties made their nominations for the presidency, and in an admirable and extensive work of reference, just completed, neither of the candidates was mentioned. With due allowance for such unavoidable occurrences, it is believed that these volumes will be found to contain the full story of the life of every subject, at least to a late date in 1903. The portraits and other illustrations are designed to supplement the text, and not merely to serve as ornaments.

, December 24, 1903.