PREFACE. THE Statesman's Year-Book is intended to supply a want in English literature-a want noticed and commented upon more than fifteen years ago by the late Sir Robert Peel. All readers of newspapers, in other words, all educated men of the present day, must have frequently felt the need of a book of reference giving an account, so to speak a portrait, of countries and states, in the same manner as a good biographical dictionary would give a sketch of individuals. In modern political life, states are mentioned and treated very much like individuals. France,' Italy,' 'Russia,' 'Austria,' and even 'Germany,' are constantly referred to as living entities, possessed of a certain amount of force, strength, and volition, the quality and quantity of which is supposed to be generally known. But men most accustomed to deal in these matters, to write and speak on political subjects, or, may be, to take a share in the government of nations, are well aware that the subject is far from being generally known, and, in fact, if not involved in absolute obscurity, is at least environed with a large amount of complexity. The great statesman before mentioned frankly confessed it by saying that he often felt the want of a hand-book presenting, in a compact shape, a picture of the actual condition, political and social, of the various states of the civilised world. A first attempt to supply this want is now made in the publication of the Statesman's Year-Book. The work contains a full account of all the states of Europe, and the principal states of Asia, America, and Australasia, considered under their political, social, and commercial aspects. Each individual state is described in the following particulars, beginning at the apex and ending at the base of the various forms of constituted society. 1. Reigning Sovereign and Family,' in the case of all states with monarchical institutions. The facts under this heading are arranged in such a manner that the dynastical relations, which play so important a part in the modern history of Europe, may be seen at a glance, allowing easy reference respecting questions of succession and family alliance. The genealogical particulars are made more complete by notices of the origin and history of the reigning houses, including lists of the successive sovereigns, the family fortune, actual income of the head of the state, and other matters of interest. 2. Constitution and Government' forms a division under which a succinct sketch is given of the constitutional organisation of the different states, and the prescribed action of the legislative and executive authorities. For every state a list is given, in most cases with biographical particulars, of the chief officers in the executive departments, including the presidents and vice-presidents of republics. The most important features of representative forms of government are also fully explained. 3. Church and Education' is treated briefly, in the more important states, under its social aspect, and as a constituent part of the political power of nations. 4. Revenue and Expenditure' is fully given, as one of the most important features of the life of states. The increase or decrease of the national income and expenditure, under given conditions and at various periods, is exhibited in all cases, together with the sources of revenue and the objects for which they are applied. The origin, growth, and actual state of the public debt of the various countries forms a necessary appendage of the financial picture. 5. 'Army and Navy' is the heading under which a full account is presented of the aggressive and defensive powers of the great states of Europe, America, and Asia. The constitution, strength, and mode of formation of the armies and navies of the world is given in the most important details, with many other facts bearing upon the subject. 6. 'Population' is treated as the foundation of states; not, how ever, from a mere view of numerical strength, but in all its moral, social, and political bearings. Under this heading, therefore, are included notices regarding the increase of population, the division of the soil, the occupations of the people, criminal returns, and similar matters of general interest. 7. Trade and Commerce,' the chief manifestation of the healthy life of nations, is gone into as fully as any other of the above subjects. Detailed accounts are furnished of the imports and exports, and the shipping, of all the states of the world, with particular regard to the commerce of this country. The manufacturing industry of the chief nations is given in its principal outlines, together with the mineral wealth in their possession. In all cases a comparative view, extending over a number of years, is presented of the trade and commerce of the various nations. The Colonies of the great West-European states are included in the account of the mother-country; but the principal of the vast dependencies and possessions of Great Britain-that is, India, Canada, and the Australasian colonies-are treated separately, as political organisations with individual interests. It has been considered an object of paramount importance to give only facts, and exclude opinions from the Statesman's Year-Book. No form of government is criticised, or compared, from a theoretical point of view, with any other form of political organisation; and no judgment is attempted on any of the thousand features of activity by which the social life of nations manifests itself. The facts are stated, not dry and bare, but with the necessary elucidations; the judgment, however, is left to the reader and the student of contemporary history. The great aim, kept in view throughout, has been to insure an absolute correctness of the multiplicity of facts and figures given in the Statesman's Year-Book. For this purpose, none but official documents have been consulted in the first instance, and only where these failed, or were manifestly imperfect, recourse has been had to authoritative books, and influential newspapers, magazines, and other reliable information. In all the latter cases, the source is given, so as to furnish a means for verifying the statement, as well as to present a guide for further investigations. PREI the apex and ending at the base society. 1. Reigning Sovereign and F monarchical institutions. The i in such a manner that the dynas“ tant a part in the modern history allowing easy reference respecti alliance. The genealogical pa notices of the origin and his lists of the successive soverei of the head of the state, and o 2. Constitution and Gove a succinct sketch is given o different states, and the pr executive authorities. For with biographical particula departments, including the publics. The most impo government are also fully 3. Church and Eduer portant states, under its the political power of n 4. Revenue and E important features of t the national income a various pada of |