This glance at the American fire departments indicates the great excellence which many of them have reached. The remarkable efficiency is found both in organization and in appliances, and it no doubt invites comparison with British fire-brigades. If so, Britain has nothing to fear. Such comparison, if superficial, is little worth; and if exhaustive, would consider all the varying circumstances of each country, and would discover great merit on both sides. Thus, the immense height of the American edifices, no doubt, renders the hook-and-ladder a most valuable appliance; but buildings in Britain, under the present Acts, are not likely to tower so high; and the improved fire-escapes so deftly handled by British firemen yield as good, or even better, results for the work they have to do. The question of the chemical fire-engine is for experts and experience to decide; and whether, with its fumes and its gases, it is really superior under all circumstances, and whether it will ever supersede the water-engine for all purposes, the twentieth century may reveal. We conclude that absolute superiority cannot be claimed by any one country. The truth is, that the means of fighting fire have been developed to very great excellence in many places; and when we consider the high courage and efficient training of the men, and the valuable improvements and great usefulness of the various engines and appliances employed, we may truly regard this immense development as one of the wonders of the modern world. THE END. Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. IN THE SAME SERIES. THE WORLD'S WONDERS SERIES _of Popular Books treats of the present-day wonders of Science and Art. They are well written, printed on good paper, and fully illustrated. Crown 8vo, 160 pages. Handsome Cloth Cover._ +1s. 6d.+ _each_. +MARVELS OF ANT LIFE.+ By W. F. KIRBY, F.L.S., F.E.S., of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. +THE ROMANCE OF THE SAVINGS BANKS.+ By Arch. G. BOWIE. +THE ROMANCE OF THE POST OFFICE+: Its Inception and Wondrous Development. By Arch. G. BOWIE. +THE ROMANCE OF GLASS-MAKING+: A Sketch of the History of Ornamental Glass. By W. GANDY. +TRIUMPHS OF THE PRINTING PRESS.+ By WALTER JERROLD. +ASTRONOMERS AND THEIR OBSERVATIONS.+ By LUCY TAYLOR. With Preface by W. THYNNE LYNN, B.A., F.R.A.S. +MARVELS OF METALS.+ By F. M. HOLMES. +MINERS AND THEIR WORKS UNDERGROUND.+ By F. M. HOLMES. +CELEBRATED MECHANICS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.+ By F. M. HOLMES. +CHEMISTS AND THEIR WONDERS.+ By F. M. HOLMES. +ENGINEERS AND THEIR TRIUMPHS.+ By F. M. HOLMES. +ELECTRICIANS AND THEIR MARVELS.+ By WALTER JERROLD. +MUSICIANS AND THEIR COMPOSITIONS.+ By J. R. GRIFFITHS. +NATURALISTS AND THEIR INVESTIGATIONS.+ By GEORGE DAY, F.R.M.S. LONDON: S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO., 8 & 9, PATERNOSTER ROW.