Of course, we have had excellent dictionaries, and authoritative encyclopedias, of the traditional sort. The dictionaries give us an account of the language in the past, and they try to keep up with the living speech of the moment. The encyclopedias, at their best, supply us with information which aims at thoroughness, and which tries to cover the whole field of knowledge. But the very thoroughness of the great encyclopedias in those matters which they discuss prevents them from mentioning many other mailers about which we every day, have some unsatisfied curiosity. The type of reference book of which this concise encyclopedia is now the American example is a kind of explanatory introduction to our intellectual life with full emphasis upon our own country at our own country. Its purpose is to answer our immediate questions, not only about great events and great personalities in the past and abroad, but about all the matters which are likely to come up in conversation, in our average reading, or in our mental explorations. Some of the answers provided in this work occupy no more than two or three lines; others require two or three hundred lines; but, whatever the number, a skilful conciseness which involves extensive use of abbreviations has put an extra ordinary amount into those lines. For a still fuller treatment of any subject here represented. It is much more, but to be even this is a genuine service. One of the most valuable habits, if you wish to lead the intellectual life, is the habit of curiosity. Unfortunately, there is something in human nature which encourages curiosity about our neighbors'' morals, but suppresses any curiosity about the things of the mind, which are properly our own business. It takes character and self-discipline to develop the habit of intellectual curiosity, and even at our best we need some props and aids. A work like Facts is most helpful. Like all good modern works of reference. Facts is admirably illustrated. The illustrations are not merely decorative. By conveying a large part of the information, they make possible some of the conciseness which is the remarkable feature of this work.
