New Book by one of the Contributors to 'The Reason Why' Series, and Assistant Editor of 'The Dictionary of Daily Wants.'

Now ready, 1 vol. crown 8vo. pp. 384, 3s. 6d. cloth. The Historical Finger-Post: A Handy Book of Terms, Phrases, Epithets, Cognomens, Allusions, &c., in connection with Universal History. By EDWARD SHELTON, Assistant Editor of The Dictionary of Daily Wants,' &c. &c.

This book will be found to contain nearly three thousand explanatory articles, some idea of the varied nature of which may be gathered from the following list of its sections:

11.

15.

SECTION 1. Wars, Battles, Naval and Military Expeditions, &c. 2. Conspiracies, Plots, Revolts, Tumults, Riots, Insurrections, &c. 3. Factions, Political Parties, Secret Societies, Cliques, Coteries, &c. 4. Dynasties, Royal Houses, Noble and Illustrious Families, &c. 5. Empires, Territories, Divisions, Forms of Government, &c. 6. Dignities, Titles, Officers of State and Honour, &c. 7. Treaties, Conventions, Leagues, Convocations, Councils, Deliberative Assemblies, &c. 8. Religious Sects and Denominations, Ecclesiastical Orders, Divisions, &c. 9. Philosophies, Systems, Doctrines, &c. 10. Laws, Enactments, Codes, Constitutions, &c. Places, Provinces, Districts, Territories, &c. 12. Races, Peoples, Classes, Tribes, &c. 13. Military Organisations. 14. Superstitions, Fables, Traditions, &c. Romance, Legend, Imaginary and Mysterious Personages. 16. Personal Epithets, Surnames, Distinguishing Titles, &c. 17. National Epithets; Political, Classical, and Social Allusions. 18. Memorable Sayings, Mottoes, Party Cries, National Songs, Hymns, &c. 19. Books of Faith, Records, Remarkable Publications, &c. 20. Literature, Art, Science, Discoveries, Inventions, &c. 21. Insignia, Emblems, Orders of Knighthood, &c. 22. National Institutions, Customs, &c. 23. Objects of Curiosity, Interest, and Wonder. 24. Epochs, Anniversaries, Sports, &c. 25. Prisons, Punishments, Penalties, Taxes, &c. 26. Parliamentary Terms, Legal and Commercial Phrases, &c. (The whole rendered available for instant reference by the addition of a copious Index.)

Opinions of the Press.

A handy little volume, which will supply the place of "Haydn's Dictionary of Dates" to many persons who cannot afford that work. Moreover, it contains some things that Haydn's book does not.'-BOOKSELLER.

It is to the historical student and antiquarian what "Enquire Within" is to the practical housewife- not dispensing with stores of hard-acquired and well-digested knowledge, but giving that little aid which, in moments of hurry and business, is the true economiser of time.'- VOLUNTEER SERVICE GAZETTE.

The idlest reader would find it convenient to have it within reach.'

PUBLISHER' CIRCULAR. 'Really a very useful work; and, at the present day, when everybody is expected to be up in everything, as good a handy-book for cramming on the current subjects of conversation as any that we know. About 3000 subjects have all their place in this extraordinary collection, and although tersely given, the account of each is sufficient for ordinary purposes.'- ERA.

A very desirable companion, as containing a variety of information, much of which could only be got by diligent inquiry and research. . . . Deserves a place as a book of reference on the shelves of the study or library.'

NAVAL AND MILITARY GAZETTE.

'This is a most useful book, but its title does not do it justice. A finger-post only points to what you want to arrive at, but in these pages are contained the very objects themselves. It is a very excellent collection, and we strongly recommend it to our readers as a cheap mine of useful information.'

JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE.

The scope of the work is comprehensive; its compilation must have required immense care; and to persons who in miscellaneous reading stumble on references to historical events, the details of which they would be glad to understand, it will prove a book always ready for use, and so arranged as to be turned to account without the slightest difficulty.'-SUNDAY TIMES.

Mr. Shelton deserves well of those who really wish to understand what they read.'-SPECTATOR.

Mr. Shelton's idea is good, and exceedingly well carried out. . . . The "Historical Finger-Post" must be seen to be appreciated.'-ART JOURNAL.

This most useful and admirably arranged handy-book will in most cases greatly lighten the labour of investigation, and obviate a long and tedious search through voluminous publications.'-WEEKLY TIMES.

PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE, LONDON

BY JOHN TIMBS, F.S.A.

EDITOR OP THE YEAR-BOOK OF FACTS IN SCIENCE AND ART,'
AUTHOR OF "THINGS NOT GENERALLY KNOWN," ETC.

LOCKWOOD & CO., STATIONERS' HALL COURT.

PREFACE.

THE object of this work is to record, in a compact manner, divested of dry, official detail, the rise, progress, and completion of the Great International Exhibition, held at South Kensington in the present year.

When the vastness of this display, and the multiplicity of its details, are duly considered, it appears desirable to place upon record, in a comprehensive yet tangible form, the leading facts, features, characteristics, and results, of this great industrial, scientific, and artistic collection.

Notwithstanding the multitude of histories, catalogues, synopses, and handbooks, in which this stirring event of our times has been chronicled, it has been deemed advisable so to condense its details as to bring within the grasp of a single volume all the most interesting and important incidents of the Exhibition.

The narrative opens with a brief account of our Industrial Exhibitions, more especially that of the year 1851, and its immediate results. To this succeeds a detailed account of the origin of the recent International Exhibition; the organization of the plan; the construction and decoration of the Building at South Kensington; and the opening ceremonial.

The greater portion of the volume is appropriated to the description of the principal contents of the Collection, in as comprehensive a form as possible, disencumbered of details of ephemeral interest, with the special aim of reviewing the merit and value of the inventions, discoveries, and new facts, which are the first fruits of the Exhibition itself.

In the arrangement of these details, the order of the Official Catalogues has been generally followed. Thus, the first portion relates principally to the British contributions; but, in some cases, for the sake of more immediate comparison, the Foreign contribu

tions have been placed in juxtaposition with those of our own
country. These groups of Objects and Articles occupy more than
half of the entire volume.

In the succeeding Section, the contributions from the British
Colonies are described; and next are those from Foreign
Countries.

Next is the Fine Art Division, wherein the principal treasures
of the British and Foreign Picture Galleries, Sculpture and Print
collections are glanced at.*

The Declaration of Awards to the Exhibitors is next recorded;
and the volume concludes with the Report of the closing ceremony.

As a retrospect of the true glories and peaceful triumphs of the
year, this volume addresses itself to a very large number of intelli-
gent readers among the hundreds of thousands who have visited
the Exhibition, as well as the still larger proportion who have not
enjoyed that advantage. To either class it is hoped the work will
be welcome; since no labour has been spared to render it, without
infringing upon its permanent and useful character, attractive and
entertaining as a volume of recreative reading.

To enhance its value as a permanent and graphic record of the
glories of this greatest of the Exhibitions, a beautiful and compre-
hensive photographic view of the interior, by the London Stereo-
scopic Company (from negatives specially retained for the pur-
pose), is given as a frontispiece.

The accompanying Table of Contents will best show the order and suc-
cession of the groups of subjects; and the Index at the close of the volume
facilitate reference to the special examples.

ERRATA.

Page 72, 3rd line from top, for "Man" read "Maw."

Page 133, 4th line from top, for "Hounslow" read" Henslow."

Page 134, 4th line from top, for "it is not now shown" read "it was not
shown."

Page 209, 25th line from top, for "constructions" read "contrivances."