When a stick of hot glass is drawn out, no matter how far it is stretched, the slender stick retains the original shape of the piece—square, round or oval. In the same way, a child’s mind retains in after life the shaping originally given to it. Everyone knows from personal experience how difficult it is to rid the mind of a wrong impression received in childhood. The editors of the new Britannica feel that they have solved a great problem in making a work of the most accurate and authoritative character interesting to children, for they have received much valuable testimony that this end has been attained. Dr. Charles W. Eliot, president-emeritus of Harvard University, was an early subscriber for two sets for the use of his grandchildren. He said that he found the work “altogether admirable; and my grandchildren, who are at the most inquisitive ages, are of the same opinion.” Professor W. G. Hale, of the University of Chicago, wrote, “My children feel the same fascination in it that I do.” Judge J. P. Gorter, of the Baltimore Supreme Court, has expressed his opinion that “every family with growing children seeking information should have this invaluable work in the library.” The owner of the new Britannica should constantly encourage his children to go to the volumes for further information on topics included in the course of the day’s studies at school. It will not take long to make them realize that the volumes open an inexhaustible mine of knowledge, and answer any question as to which curiosity has been aroused. With a little help from you, at the beginning, they will soon learn to use the Britannica for themselves.

The Britannica Interesting to ChildrenThe love of reading is quickly developed in children. Some are attracted to history, to the lives of great men, to exploration and to adventure; others become more interested in the world of nature; still others have a natural bent toward science and the mechanical arts. Whatever the inclination may be, the Britannica stands at the child’s service, giving to him the true facts in such a way that he can easily understand them.

The following suggestions will help children to pursue their favourite lines of reading. They may like to begin with the heroes of myth and history. Andrew Lang contributes a most comprehensive article on Mythology (Vol. 19, p. 128). The classified subject-list in Vol. 29 (Index) indicates nearly 500 separate articles on the gods and mythological beings of ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Egypt, Europe and America. The central hero of medieval romance, Arthur (Vol. 2, p. 681), is described by Miss Jessie L. Weston, author of Arthurian Romances. The famous deeds of the Cid (Vol. 6, p. 361), the foremost man of Spain’s heroic period, are related by H. E. Watts, the well-known translator of Don Quixote. Roland, Legend of (Vol. 23, p. 464), tells another stirring story.

Heroes and Heroines of History, Romance and AdventureThe Romance of the Middle AgesHeroes of Later TimesFamous Women of HistoryOf peculiar interest to children are such articles as Cyrus (The Great), (Vol. 7, p. 706), by Dr. Eduard Meyer, professor of ancient history, University of Berlin, author of the world-famous History of Antiquity; Alexander III (The Great), (Vol. 1, p. 545), by the noted Hellenist, Edwyn R. Bevan; Caesar, Julius (Vol. 4, p. 938), by Henry Stuart Jones, of Oxford University; Hannibal (Vol. 12, p. 920), by M. O. B. Caspari, of London University; Theodoric (Vol. 26, p. 768), the great ruler of the Gothic nation, by Theodore Hodgkin, author of Italy and her Invaders; Charlemagne, founder of the Holy Roman Empire (Vol. 5, p. 891), by Arthur W. Holland; Charles Martel (Vol. 5, p. 942), a great type of courage and activity, by Christian Pfister, professor at the Sorbonne, Paris; Alfred the Great (Vol. 1, p. 582), by Rev. Charles Plummer, author of The Life and Times of Alfred the Great; Crusades (Vol. 7, p. 524), by Ernest Barker, of Oxford University, a narrative with all the action and interest of the best tales for children; Templars (Vol. 26, p. 591), by W. Alison Phillips, author of Modern Europe, etc.; Louis IX (Saint) (Vol. 17, p. 37), by Prof. James T. Shotwell, of Columbia University; Conradin (Vol. 6, p. 968), the pathetic life of this marvelous boy who perished at the age of seventeen; Hundred Years’ War (Vol. 13, p. 893), by Jules Viard, archivist of the National Archives, Paris; Froissart, Jean (Vol. 11, p. 242), a notable biography, by Sir Walter Besant; Charles V (Vol. 5, p. 899), by Edward Armstrong, author of The Emperor Charles V, etc.; Cromwell, Oliver (Vol. 7, p. 487), by Philip Chesney Yorke, of Oxford, Capt. C. F. Atkinson, and R. J. McNeill; Gustavus Adolphus (Vol. 12, p. 735), by R. Nisbet Bain, author of Scandinavia, etc.; Marlborough (Vol. 17, p. 737), by Dr. W. P. Courtney; Frederick II (The Great) (Vol. 11, p. 52), by James Sime, author of History of Germany, and W. Alison Phillips; Napoleon I (Vol. 19, p. 190), by J. Holland Rose; Nelson (Vol. 19, p. 352), by David Hannay, author of Short History of the Royal Navy; Wellington (Vol. 28, p. 507); Washington, George (Vol. 28, p. 344), by Dr. William MacDonald, professor of American History in Brown University; Lincoln, Abraham (Vol. 16, p. 703), by John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President Lincoln, and Charles C. Whinery, assistant editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica; Grant, Ulysses S. (Vol. 12, p. 355), by Capt. C. F. Atkinson, and John Fiske, author of The American Revolution; Lee, Robert E. (Vol. 16, p. 362); Boadicea (Vol. 4, p. 94), by Dr. F. J. Haverfield, professor of ancient history, Oxford University; Matilda (The Great Countess) (Vol. 17, p. 888), by Prof. Carlton H. Hayes, of Columbia University; Joan of Arc (Vol. 15, p. 420), by Prof. J. T. Shotwell, of Columbia University; Isabella (Vol. 14, p. 859); Elizabeth, Queen of England (Vol. 9, p. 282), by A. F. Pollard, professor of English history, London University; Mary, Queen of Scots (Vol. 17, p. 817), by Algernon C. Swinburne, the great poet, author of Mary Stuart, etc.; Catherine de’ Medici (Vol. 5, p. 528); Victoria, Queen (Vol. 28, p. 28), by Hugh Chisholm, editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica.

The biographies are not dry outlines of the subjects’ lives, but narratives of a thoroughly interesting and often most entertaining nature. There has been a generous amount of space alloted the biographical articles in the Encyclopaedia Britannica. The article on Napoleon I is equivalent to 60 pages of this Guide; that of George Washington to 13 pages; of Abraham Lincoln to 23 pages; of Queen Victoria 23 pages. Such length provides space for the picturesque details which make the articles especially appropriate for children, and will establish a taste for this kind of reading in later years.

Readings in Natural HistoryMany children show a bent for knowledge of the world of nature, and to them the new Britannica will prove a faithful, constant companion. Their pleasure in going to the encyclopaedia will be heightened by the many beautiful pictures they will find in it. The articles on the domestic animals not only relate in simple, readable fashion the very interesting facts about their history and development, but are splendidly illustrated with pictures of the different breeds so that by this means alone anyone may learn to distinguish them. Cat (Vol. 5, p. 487), is by Richard Lydekker, the noted naturalist; Cattle (Vol. 5, p. 539) is by Dr. William Fream, author of Handbook of Agriculture, and Robert Wallace, professor of agriculture, Edinburgh University; Dog (Vol. 8, p. 374) is by Walter Baxendale, kennel editor of The Field, and Dr. F. Chalmers Mitchell; Horse (Vol. 13, p. 712) is by Sir William Henry Flower, the noted biologist, author of The Horse, a Study in Natural History, Richard Lydekker, E. D. Brickwood, Dr. William Fream and Robert Wallace; Pig (Vol. 21, p. 594) is by Robert Wallace, and Sheep (Vol. 24, p. 817) is by Dr. Fream and Professor Wallace.

In too many books for children about the habits of wild animals, the facts of nature are grossly distorted with the idea of impressing the imagination. We are all familiar with the recent spirited controversy over “nature fakers” and the reaction to more sober statement which it brought about. It is the truth about the animal world that is wanted; for it is quite wonderful and fascinating enough as it is. And the new Britannica supplies this need in a most satisfactory and thorough manner. Children never tire of natural history, and parents may be assured that the information in the entertaining articles by noted naturalists, in the pages of the Britannica, is of the most reliable and accurate character.

The Habits and Doings of Clever AnimalsNothing, for instance, could be more absorbing to the average school-child than the article Ant (Vol. 2, p. 85), by Prof. George H. Carpenter of the Royal College of Science, Dublin, who wrote the well-known book Insects; their Structure and Life. Here he tells how colonies of ants are founded, and how they live, and how they receive other insects as guests in order to obtain the food they desire, and how some species make slaves of other species. Numerous examples of their sense and intelligence are given, and the question as to whether their actions are rational or instinctive is discussed in the light of the most recent knowledge. The story of the Bee (Vol. 3, p. 625), also by Professor Carpenter, is equally wonderful, for we learn all about the solitary and social bees, the social organization of the hive, and how the worker bees are victimized. Both of these articles are fully illustrated. Spiders (Vol. 25, p. 663), by R. I. Pocock, superintendent of the Zoological Gardens, London, is another example of the adaptability of the Britannica to children’s reading. The accounts of their webs, nests and modes of catching prey hold the attention throughout.

A great deal of the most curious and recent knowledge of the animal kingdom is related in supplementary articles such as Colours of Animals (Vol. 6, p. 731), by Dr. E. B. Poulton, Hope professor of zoology at Oxford, author of The Colours of Animals, and Mimicry (Vol. 18, p. 495), by R. I. Pocock. The latter tells how animals protect themselves from their enemies by resemblance to other animals or objects.

Knowledge about Plants and AnimalsSpace will not permit further specific mention. The life-story of the entire animal kingdom, detailed information about plants and flowers are to be found in the pages of the new Britannica. The accurate and beautiful illustrations and the text, written in every case by naturalists of acknowledged reputation, and written always in the clearest language, help to give the work its unique position as the greatest source of authoritative and easily comprehended knowledge.

Marvelous MachinesChildren delight in machinery and what it accomplishes, and the Britannica tells about this with great thoroughness in its complete section dealing with processes of manufacture. A number of the articles on this subject have been suggested in the last chapter as suitable for parents who wish to interest their children in the industrial world, and the list may be further extended for the benefit of older children by including such articles as Textile Printing (Vol. 26, p. 694), by Dr. Edmund Knecht, of Manchester University; Finishing (Vol. 10, p. 378) also by Professor Knecht; Wool, Worsted and Woollen Manufactures (Vol. 28, p. 805), by Aldred F. Barker, professor of textile industries, Bradford Technical College; Typography, Modern Practical Typography (Vol. 27, p. 542), by John Southward, author of Practical Printing, and H. M. Ross; Printing (Vol. 22, p. 350), by C. T. Jacobi, managing director of the Chiswick Press, London; Dredge and Dredging (Vol. 8, p. 562), by Walter Hunter, a noted consulting engineer; Reaping (Vol. 22, p. 944), by Primrose McConnell, author of Diary of a Working Farmer, etc.

Boys with a practical, mechanical turn of mind will delight in such articles as Bridges (Vol. 4, p. 533), by Prof. W. C. Unwin, with many illustrations; Motor Vehicles (Vol. 18, p. 914), by the late C. S. Rolls, a pioneer of motoring, and Edward S. Smith; Flight and Flying, Artificial Flight (Vol. 10, p. 510), which describes, with many pictures, flying machines from the earliest types to the latest, and Cycling (Vol. 7, p. 682), an historical and pictorial account of the velocipede and bicycle. Nothing could be more interesting and instructive than Ship (Vol. 24, p. 860), of which the historical part is by Rev. Edmond Warre, formerly head master of Eton College, and the account of modern ships by Sir Philip Watts, who designed the “Dreadnought” and the “Mauretania.” It is a real story, equivalent in length to 190 pages of this Guide, with nearly 130 illustrations of all sorts of craft including modern warships, ocean liners and vessels for inland navigation. Under Railways (Vol. 22, p. 819) there is an equally good history of the railway by H. M. Ross, editor of The Times Engineering Supplement, and others.

Electrical ApparatusThe remarkable attraction possessed by electrical apparatus for many boys will doubtless send them to such articles as Dynamo (Vol. 8, p. 764), by C. C. Hawkins, author of The Dynamo; Telephone (Vol. 26, p. 547), by Harry R. Kempe, electrician to the General Post Office, London; Telegraph (Vol. 26, p. 510), also by H. R. Kempe, and the chapter on Wireless Telegraphy (p. 529), by J. A. Fleming, professor of electrical engineering in the University of London. These accounts are full of the most practical information, and will be of inestimable help to any boy who wishes to experiment for himself.

Industrial ProcessesMany industrial processes, while not employing complicated machinery, nevertheless possess much interest, both from an historical and a technical point of view, and on these the new Britannica is as complete and authentic as in all other departments. Especially useful and entertaining to children will be found the material relating to the manufacture of the common objects by which they are surrounded. Such, for instance, are Ceramics (Vol. 5, p. 703), by William Burton and several other experts, with beautiful illustrations; Glass (Vol. 12, p. 86), by Harry James Powell, author of Glass Making, etc., Alexander Nesbitt, and William Rosenhain of the National Physical Laboratory, England; and Process (Vol. 22, p. 408), an illustrated account, by Edwin Bale, of the photomechanical processes by which illustrations are reproduced in printing.

These and hundreds of similar articles will prove most helpful and suggestive to school-children who are constantly called on to prepare “themes” and write compositions. As soon as a child makes acquaintance with the new Britannica he will quickly realize its inexhaustible resources, and the aid it lends him in his studies will be continued throughout the course of his life, in his business and in his general reading.

Explorers’ Voyages and JourneysChildren love to read adventures of explorers in forcing their way to unknown lands. The impression they make is much clearer when the child has learned to distinguish the different motives which have led to discovery and to exploration—commercial expansion, fresh conquests, religious zeal, flight from persecution, or the advancement of knowledge for its own sake. With such information he will read in a new light the stirring history of adventure, the great story of hardship and endurance.

The Britannica presents all this on a definite, scientific plan. The inquirer starts on his trip through any field of learning with guide-posts clearly marked, and successive ones in sight one from the other; so that there is no going astray, no uncertain wandering. A reader—young or old—with taste for exploration and adventure may turn first to Geography, Progress of Geographical Discovery (Vol. 11, p. 623), by Dr. H. R. Mill, editor of The International Geography. This article outlines geographical discovery in chronological order from the days of the Phoenicians. The reader will doubtless make excursions into other parts of the books for more detailed accounts, but he has always this main article to guide him. He will go to the article on Herodotus (Vol. 13, p. 381), the traveler, by Canon George Rawlinson, the great Oriental archaeologist, and the Rev. E. M. Walker of Oxford University; and to the story of Pytheas (Vol. 22, p. 703), the Greek navigator who brought the first definite news of northwestern Europe to the Mediterranean world, by Sir Edward H. Bunbury, author of A History of Ancient Geography, and Dr. C. R. Beazley of the University of Birmingham. Other stories of exploration and adventure are: Viking (Vol. 28, p. 62), by Charles F. Keary, author of The Vikings in Western Christendom; Leif Ericsson (Vol. 16, p. 396), the first European to set foot on the American continent, by Prof. C. R. Beazley; Vinland (Vol. 28, p. 98), with all the latest known facts of Leif’s discovery, by Prof. J. E. Olson of the University of Wisconsin; the marvelous career of the great Venetian discoverer, Polo, Marco (Vol. 22, p. 7), boldest of medieval travelers, by Sir Henry Yule, author of The Book of Ser Marco Polo, and Prof. C. R. Beazley; Henry of Portugal (the Navigator) (Vol. 13, p. 296); Diaz de Novaes (Vol. 8, p. 172); Columbus, Christopher (Vol. 6, p. 741)—all of these by Professor Beazley; |America—Its Discoverers and Conquerors| Gama, Vasco Da (Vol. 11, p. 433), who discovered the Cape route to India; Pinzon (Vol. 21, p. 631); Vespucci, Amerigo (Vol. 27, p. 1053), by Professor Beazley; Balboa, Vasco Nuñez de (Vol. 3, p. 241), discoverer of the Pacific Ocean; Cabot (Vol. 4, p. 921), by H. P. Biggar, author of The Voyages of the Cabots to Greenland; Magellan, Ferdinand (Vol. 17, p. 302), the first circumnavigator of the globe, by Professor Beazley; Soto, Ferdinando de (Vol. 25, p. 435), wrongly called the discoverer of the Mississippi; Peru, History (Vol. 21, p. 274), by Sir Clements R. Markham, author of Travels in Peru and India, a full account of Pizarro’s conquest; Cortes, Hernan (Vol. 7, p. 205), a concise and able description of the conquest of Mexico; Cartier, Jacques (Vol. 5, p. 433), which tells of the discovery of the St. Lawrence; Hudson, Henry (Vol. 13, p. 849); Baffin, William (Vol. 3, p. 192); La Salle (Vol. 16, p. 230), by C. C. Whinery, assistant editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica; |Great Voyages| Champlain, Samuel de (Vol. 5, p. 830), by Dr. N. E. Dionne, author of Life of Samuel Champlain, etc.; Drake, Sir Francis (Vol. 8, p. 473); Buccaneers (Vol. 4, p. 709), by David Hannay, a stirring account of the piratical adventurers of different nationalities who united against Spain in the 17th century, and Cook, James (Vol. 7, p. 71), by Professor Beazley.

Modern ExplorationThe story of geographical discovery and exploration is continued in such articles as America, General Historical Sketch (Vol. 1, p. 806), by David Hannay; Africa, History: Exploration and Survey since 1875 (Vol. 1, pp. 331 and 352), by F. R. Cana, author of South Africa from the Great Trek to the Union; Asia, Exploration (Vol. 2, p. 738), by Col. Sir Thomas H. Holdich, formerly superintendent of the Frontier Surveys of India; Australia, Discovery and Exploration (Vol. 2, p. 958); and Polar Regions (Vol. 21, p. 938), by Dr. Fridtjof Nansen, the Arctic explorer, and Dr. H. R. Mill, which gives a brilliant survey of all the attempts to conquer the frozen world. In connection with these articles should be read the full and interesting biographies of the great modern explorers such as Baker, Sir Samuel White (Vol. 3, p. 227); Burton, Sir Richard F. (Vol. 4, p. 864), by Dr. Stanley Lane-Poole; Livingstone, David (Vol. 16, p. 813), by John Scott Keltie, secretary of the Royal Geographical Society; Stanley, Sir Henry Morton (Vol. 25, p. 779), by F. R. Cana; Emin Pasha (Vol. 9, p. 340); Speke, John H. (Vol. 25, p. 633); Parry, Sir William Edward (Vol. 20, p. 865); Franklin, Sir John (Vol. 11, p. 30); Kane, Elisha Kent (Vol. 15, p. 650); Nordenskiöld, Nils Adolf Erik (Vol. 19, p. 740); Nansen, Fridtjof (Vol. 19, p. 162); Peary, Robert Edwin (Vol. 21, p. 30). See the chapter on Geography in this Guide.

A Complete History of the WorldA strong taste for history is often found in children, and the new Britannica is, among other things, a complete history of the world, by the greatest historians of the present day. In respect to the treatment and arrangement of the historical section there are many things that make it especially adapted for young people’s reading. In the first place the great episodes of history, such as French Revolution, Renaissance, Reformation, Middle Ages, and Crusades, are discussed in separate articles. Also every battle, siege, campaign, or war of importance has its article, apart from its treatment in the histories of countries. The historical articles in the new Britannica will send those a little older to other articles dealing with government, and thus help them to cope intelligently with the social and civic problems of the age—in other words, enable them to become the best kind of citizens. The chapter in this Guide headed Questions of the Day covers this ground; and see the chapters on History.

A child is naturally curious to know about mountains, rivers, caverns, the causes of rain, dew and wind. Just as this encyclopaedia shows itself the best of instructors in regard to the plant and animal world, so with natural phenomena it serves to bring the child into close, sympathetic touch with the truths of science.

Physical Geography made InterestingThe principles of physical geography are clearly explained in Geography, Principles of (Vol. 11, p. 630), by Dr. H. R. Mill; and when these are learned young people will turn with eager interest to such articles as Alps (Vol. 1, p. 737), partly by W. A. B. Coolidge, author of The Alps in Nature and in History; Andes (Vol. 1, p. 960); Appalachian Mountains (Vol. 2, p. 207), by Dr. Arthur C. Spencer, geologist to the Geological Survey of the United States; Himalaya (Vol. 13, p. 470); Volcano (Vol, 28, p. 178), by F. W. Rudler, of the Museum of Practical Geology, London; Vesuvius (Vol. 27, p. 1063), by Sir Archibald Geikie and Dr. Thomas Ashby; Earthquake (Vol. 8, p. 817), by F. W. Rudler and Dr. John Milne, author of Earthquakes, etc.; Geyser (Vol. 11, p. 913); Cave (Vol. 5, p. 573), by Dr. William Boyd Dawkins, author of Cave Hunting, etc.; Mammoth Cave (Vol. 17, p. 531), by Rev. Horace C. Hovey, author of Celebrated American Caverns, etc.; Luray Cavern (Vol. 17, p. 127), also by Dr. Hovey; Grand Canyon (Vol. 12, p. 347), by R. S. Tarr, late professor of physical geography, Cornell University; Great Salt Lake (Vol. 12, p. 421); Yosemite (Vol. 28, p. 937), by Dr. John Muir, president of the American Alpine Club, and author of The Mountains of California; Yellowstone National Park (Vol. 28, p. 912); Glacier (Vol. 12, p. 60), by Rev. E. C. Spicer, of Oxford University; Niagara (Vol. 19, p. 634), by Dr. G. K. Gilbert, author of Niagara Falls and their History; Mississippi River (Vol. 18, p. 604); Amazon (Vol. 1, p. 783), by Col. George E. Church, the famous American explorer of the Amazon; Orinoco (Vol. 20, p. 275), also by Colonel Church; Rhine (Vol. 23, p. 240), by Dr. J. F. Muirhead, editor of many of Baedeker’s Guide Books, and Philip A. Ashworth; Nile (Vol. 19, p. 692), by F. R. Cana and Sir W. E. Garstin, governing director, Suez Canal Co.; Niger (Vol. 19, p. 674) and Congo (Vol. 6, p. 914), by F. R. Cana; Yangtsze-Kiang (Vol. 28, p. 903), by George Jamieson, formerly British consul-general at Shanghai; Desert (Vol. 8, p. 92), by Dr. H. N. Dickson, professor of geography, University College, Reading; Sahara (Vol. 23, p. 1004), by Edward Heawood, librarian of the Royal Geographical Society, London, and F. R. Cana. There are also separate articles on the oceans and large lakes.

Astronomy is a science which is peculiarly attractive to children, since it arouses the imagination and makes a strong appeal to their delight in all that is marvelous. There are 277 astronomical articles in the new Encyclopaedia Britannica to which the classified list in the Index Volume (Vol. 29, p. 888) is the key.

Readings in AstronomyIn the preceding chapter are mentioned a few articles which will serve for the beginning of an acquaintance with astronomy. When a child has learned to know the zodiacal constellations he will certainly want to read Zodiac (Vol. 28, p. 993), by Agnes M. Clerke, author of A History of Astronomy in the 19th Century, for the story of the signs and what they meant to the nations of past ages. There are separate articles on the principal constellations and stars. Astrology (Vol. 2, p. 795), by Prof. Morris Jastrow of the University of Pennsylvania, will prove both entertaining and instructive.

Those who wish to know about methods of observation will find the complete story in Telescope (Vol. 26, p. 557), a beautifully illustrated article by H. Dennis Taylor, author of A System of Applied Optics, and Sir David Gill, formerly astronomer royal at the Cape of Good Hope.

Games and PastimesIn the preceding chapter a few articles on games were mentioned as being useful to parents helping very young children to amuse themselves. A little later, the child will be delighted to choose for himself among the 260 articles on sports and pastimes; and the analysis of this department of the Britannica, in Part 6 of this Guide, will then be of service. We may mention here the articles Golf (Vol. 12, p. 219), by H. G. Hutchinson, golf champion and author of Hints on Golf; Lacrosse (Vol. 16, p. 54); Bowling (Vol. 4, p. 344); Rowing (Vol. 23, p. 783), by C. M. Pitman, formerly stroke of the Oxford University Eight; Model-Yachting (Vol. 18, p. 640); Angling, Methods and Practice (Vol. 2, p. 24); Cricket (Vol. 7, p. 435); Archery, Pastime of (Vol. 2, p. 364), by the late W. J. Ford. A long list of indoor and out-door games will be found in the classified subject-list (Vol. 29, p. 946).

Diverting and Profitable OccupationsThe aptitude of children for diverting and often profitable occupations is admirably fostered by the new Britannica through many of its very practical articles. This matter has been discussed in the last chapter. In addition it is worthy of note that an ingenious boy could learn to make and set up a sun-dial with the help of Dial and Dialling (Vol. 8, p. 149), by Hugh Godfray; and could experiment and amuse himself with a Camera Lucida or a Camera Obscura (Vol. 5, p. 104), from the articles written by Charles J. Joly, late Astronomer Royal of Ireland; while even a younger child could quickly learn to tie any kind of a knot from Knot (Vol. 15, p. 871), with 54 illustrations, by P. G. Tait, the famous British physicist. All the crafts that produce objects of household utility are practically taught in articles by experts, so that the Britannica is a complete guide to the use of every kind of tool.

Reading for GirlsIn the field of girls’ occupations there is in the Britannica much material that serves to give knowledge of the best methods of home making.

A great number of articles for girls’ reading will be found among those named in the chapter For Women.

In these days parents, and especially mothers, are devoting more and more time to the study of child development. The importance and value of intelligent sympathetic guidance in everything a child does—and every active child strives to do something—has been fully realized. The chief problem before the parent is, therefore, to have at hand some ready means of meeting every expression of a child’s interests, every indication of budding talents. A short experience with the new Britannica will show this to be one of its many valuable functions. Children do not need to be driven to the volumes. They need only to be made acquainted with them.