THIS book has been compiled with the object of providing in a convenient and attractive form nautical information of the kind required by intelligent landsmen whose interest has been raised in the maritime heritage of our empire. Information of this kind has hitherto been almost entirely inaccessible, since it is contained partly in large and cumbrous books of reference, and partly in expensive technical works, or in Government publications.

In the first edition of a work of this kind absolute completeness is naturally not possible, and the pub­lisher will be very glad to receive any suggestions for correction or improvement.

Though there has been no attempt to provide a monograph on any one particular aspect of maritime knowledge, it is claimed that the work covers a wide ground and contains in a condensed form the informa­tion most likely to be serviceable to the traveller and the general enquirer.

It has been the aim of the Editor to obtain his facts from the most authentic sources, and in this connexion thanks are due to Lloyd's for their kind permission to print extracts from their most valuable CALENDAR, and to Messrs. Thacker & Co. for the same courteous permission to use their handy and comprehensive NAVAL POCKET BOOK, to both of which works the reader is referred for additional facts should he desire either to know more of the Merchant Service or of the Navy. Thanks are also due to the Navy League for permission to reprint the article dealing with its work, and to the various Steamship Companies who have kindly placed at the Editor's disposal the lists of their fleets, and other interesting details connected with their lines of steamers.

VIKING SHIP OF KING ALFRED'S DAY.