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[Illustration: “TRIUMPHS AND WONDERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.”

  This picture explains and is symbolic of the most progressive one
    hundred years in history. In the center stands the beautiful
    female figure typifying Industry. To the right are the goddesses
    of Music, Electricity, Literature and Art. Navigation is noted in
    the anchor and chain leaning against the capstan; the Railroad,
    in the rails and cross-ties; Machinery, in the cog-wheels,
    steam governor, etc.; Labor, in the brawny smiths at the anvil;
    Pottery, in the ornamented vase; Architecture, in the magnificent
    Roman columns; Science, in the figure with quill in hand. In the
    back of picture are suggestions of the progress and development
    of our wonderful navy. Above all hovers the angel of Fame ready
    to crown victorious Genius and Labor with the laurel wreaths of
    Success.
]




  TRIUMPHS AND WONDERS
  OF THE
  19TH CENTURY

  THE
  TRUE MIRROR OF A PHENOMENAL ERA


  A VOLUME OF ORIGINAL, ENTERTAINING AND INSTRUCTIVE HISTORIC
  AND DESCRIPTIVE WRITINGS, SHOWING THE MANY AND
  MARVELLOUS ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH DISTINGUISH

  AN HUNDRED YEARS
  OF
  Material, Intellectual, Social and Moral Progress

  EMBRACING AS SUBJECTS ALL THOSE WHICH BEST TYPE THE GENIUS,
  SPIRIT AND ENERGY OF THE AGE, AND SERVE TO BRING INTO
  BRIGHTEST RELIEF THE GRAND MARCH OF IMPROVEMENT
  IN THE VARIOUS DOMAINS OF
  HUMAN ACTIVITY.


  BY
  JAMES P. BOYD, A.M., L.B.,

  _Assisted by a Corps of Thirty-Two Eminent and Specially Qualified
  Authors._

  Copiously and Magnificently Illustrated.


  [Illustration]


  PHILADELPHIA
  A. J. HOLMAN & CO.




  COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY W. H. ISBISTER.
  _All Rights Reserved._

  COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY W. H. ISBISTER.




INTRODUCTORY


Measuring epochs, or eras, by spaces of a hundred years each, that
which embraces the nineteenth century stands out in sublime and
encouraging contrast with any that has preceded it. As the legatee of
all prior centuries, it has enlarged and ennobled its bequest to an
extent unparalleled in history; while it has at the same time, through
a genius and energy peculiar to itself, created an original endowment
for its own enjoyment and for the future richer by far than any
heretofore recorded. Indeed, without permitting existing and pardonable
pride to endanger rigid truth, it may be said that along many of the
lines of invention and progress which have most intimately affected the
life and civilization of the world, the nineteenth century has achieved
triumphs and accomplished wonders equal, if not superior, to all other
centuries combined.

Therefore, what more fitting time than at its close to pass in
pleasing and instructive review the numerous material and intellectual
achievements that have so distinguished it, and have contributed in so
many and such marvelous ways to the great advance and genuine comfort
of the human race! Or, what could prove a greater source of pride and
profit than to compare its glorious works with those of the past, the
better to understand and measure the actual steps and real extent of
the progress of mankind! Or, what more delightful and inspiring than
to realize that the sum of those wonderful activities, of which each
reader is, or has been, a part, has gone to increase the grandeur of a
world era whose rays will penetrate and brighten the coming centuries!

Amid so many and such strong reasons this volume finds excellent cause
for its being. Its aims are to mirror a wonderful century from the
vantage ground of its closing year; to faithfully trace the lines which
mark its almost magical advance; to give it that high and true historic
place whence its contrasts with the past can be best noted, and its
light upon the future most directly thrown.

This task would be clearly beyond the power of a single mind. So rapid
has progress been during some parts of the century, so amazing have
been results along the lines of discovery and invention, so various
have been the fields of action, that only those of special knowledge
and training could be expected to do full justice to the many subjects
to be treated.

Hence,