THE INTER OCEAN

CURIOSITY .SHOP

FOR THE YEAR 1886.

EDITED BY

THOMAS C. MAC MILLAN, A. M.

SECOND EDITION.

CHICAGO:

THE INTER OCEAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, 85 MADISON ST.

1889.

PREFACE.

THE INTER OCEAN ten years ago began the publication in book form of OUR CURIOSITY SHOP. So favorably was it received by our regular readers, and by the public generally, that its continuance annually, which was at first requested, came to be demanded by our patrons. This number, the ninth of the whole series, is issued in response to the constant call for the best material in OUR CURIOSITY SHOP department in THE WEEKLY INTER OCHAN and in THE INTER OCEAN of every Saturday.

The volume for 1886 contains several features which are worthy of special mention. To veterans of the War for the Union this number is of unusual value and interest. The utmost care and attention have been exercised to make the regimental histories, descriptions of battles, movements of armies, and sketches of leaders of the war thoroughly entertaining and exact, and in every sense helpful to the boys in blue who have made the inquiries and to their comrades scattered since the famous interview at Appomattox from ocean to ocean. The history of the Grand Army of the Republic, the list of its eminent commanders, with the dates and places of meeting since the founding of this patriotic order; the article 46 upon the Woman's Relief Corps; together with the valuable materials regarding the Revotutionary and other wars of this country; all make this volume of unusual value and interest to ex-soldiers and their friends.

OUR CURIOSITY SHOP has endeavored to observe the rule it laid down long since, namely, to make it, as far as possible, a cyclopedia of the day. It is comparatively easy to trace out a fact or line of facts which relate to ten, twenty, or even fifty years ago, but it frequently happens that current events are very difficult of comprehension and correlation. Such a case may be noticed in the present-day history of Poland and Bulgaria and Ireland; of the Egyptian, Soudanese, and Canadian rebellions. Special attention is directed to these articles, as they will be found to contain the history of the countries mentioned during most momentous periods. Another feature of this book is comprised in the tables of the rulers and dynasties of Germany and Sweden, and in the list of the Popes. The wealth, debt, and taxation of States and countries; histories of political parties in the United States; the British parties and Parliaments; the development and present status of woman suffrage, illiteracy, origin of phrases, authors of popular songs and works, the valuable and carefully prepared biographical sketches, the numberless scientific, political, social, religious, mechanical, historical, and other facts contained in this ready reference and treasury of information, will commend it to every inteligent reader.

The index has been prepared with the thoroughness and exactness which it has been our constant purpose to bestow upon every answer OUR CURIOSITY SHOP contains. The same system adopted in two previous volumes, those of 1884 and 1885, has been continued, of locating in the index the precise column on the page to which the reference directs the Inquirer. This has met with hearty approval from our patrona, and is believed to be of great value to every one consulting OUR CURIOSITY SHOP. T. a M