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J. R. Jones: Polar

Thrilling scenes in the Polar World are also depicted. The story of those heroic adventures which have attended Polar exploration is one of the most wonderful ever written. Sublime courage, endurance and self-sacrifice have plowed the northern seas, nestled under towering icebergs, crossed frozen deserts, and, alas, 1v PREFACE. have not always returned to the homes whence they started for their heroic exploits. The stories of these Polar heroes are related in these pages, and the narrative of that marvellous voyage of six months on an iceberg, the most wonderful of which we have any account, is given in full.

Many are the countries and scenes which have a charm to the youthful mind. Alps are piled on Alps; the bold tourists climb the giddy peaks. The crystal seekers crawl along dizzy precipices, and fool-hardy adventurers are hurled thousands of feet into the abyss below. Vivid scenes in the north of Europe find a place in this work, and the beautiful customs of the Scandinavian race are fully described. The reader sees the exciting race on snow-shoes, the hanging of the sheaf for Christmas birds, and is introduced to the fur-clad natives of Lapland and Greenland. A vast collection of tropical wonders are here brought together. The wild beasts of Africa; the savage customs of the Dark Continent; the strange and gorgeous scenes witnessed in India; the remarkable manners and customs of old China and Japan, are all depicted, and while the reader turns these pages strange empires and nations pass before his eyes.

To give variety to this work, is one object which has been constantly in view. Many domestic scenes and incidents of our every-day life, which are pleasant and attractive, have been welcomed into these pages, and these will meet with a cordial reception. Home life presents its varied attractions. The practical object of affording instruction and entertainment is plainly to be seen in all descriptions of adventures, travels, inventions and discoveries. We now come to graphic scenes in history. There have been great events which have proved to be the end or beginning of nations. The records of history possess a wonderful charm for the youthful mind. It is instinctively felt that fact is superior to fiction. A historic record has all the force of truth, while it may have all the fascination of romance. This work is rich in historic scenes which have been celebrated in the grandest productions of the world's Macaulays and Homers. It will be seen from the foregoing outline of contents, although very meagre for want of space, that this work is very comprehensive, and one might ask what else could be added to increase its value, or render it more intensely interesting. Yet one very important part remains to be described. Superadded to all the marvels of creation, of domestic and historic life, is a large collection of the choicest selections of Poetry and Prose. Here is a great variety of beautiful gems, adapted to the youthful reader. Entertaining stories enrich the pages; charming poems sing their happy songs, and these bright jewels gathered from many sources, form a fitting climax to this new juvenile work.

MUSEUM OF WONDERS is elegantly embellished with engravings, each of which is an object lesson, and has its own peculiar charm. Young eyes must have something to look at, and, as matter of fact, they learn more from accurate engravings than they do from descriptions in words. Both the text and the engravings are suited to every household. The value of a work cannot be over-estimated which is so elevated in tone and so pure in sentiment, that it can be welcomed into every family without fear that any corrupting influence will go with it. Beautiful World, ONTENTS. • Welcome to the Young People, Bonnet Monkeys, The Chamois, The Wild Cat, • Stampede on the Prairie, Elk Attacked by Wolves, A Marvellous Animal, A Marauder, • • Albatross and Gulls, A Day's Fishing in South Africa, An Unequal Contest, • Shark-fishing on the Coast of Florida, Ostrich-riding of the Somali, • • The Horsemanship of the Kurds, Monsters of the Ancient World, The Ferocious Crocodile, Prairie Dog Town, • The Pretty Dormouse and its Nest, The Harvest-mouse, Androcles and the Lion, The Shipwrecked Boys, Adventure in a Jungle, Our Little German Band, Remarkable Dogs, . • • • • • • An Animal of Great Height and Beauty, The Gigantic Hippopotamus, • The Donkey, • The Fishing Otter, The Long-tongued Chameleon, The Cats and the Ape, A Morning Call, The Puma, Trained Walrus, PAGE 16 17 18 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 36 42 • 44 48 52 54 58 62 • 64 66 68 • 72 74 80 84 88 92 95 97 100 102 Hunting the Deer, Great Polar Bear, Adventure with an African Buffalo, A Formidable Foe, Story of Sir John Franklin, Perils of Arctic Voyages, The Enchanted Coast, A Strange People, Ships Seen in the Air, e CONTENTS.