COMPILED AND EDITED BY
SIR HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM
CHEVALIER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR; Civil, MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRICAL
ENGINEER; MEMBER OF THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; MEMBER OF
THE ROYAL INSTITUTION; MEMBER OF THE BRITISI ASSOCIATION FOR
THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE; MEMBER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
LEAGUE; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS, ETC., ETC.

WITH PORTRAIT OF LI HUNG CHAVG AS FRONTISPIECE

and Forty-two Illustrations

LONDON :

WATTS & co.
17 JOHNSON'S COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C.

МЗ

Dedicated to

THE MEMORY OF MY DEAR MOTHER, WHO HATED SUPERSTITION WITH EVERY DROP OF BLOOD

IN HER HONEST BODY