Twenty-eight yachts also were purchased and turned into auxiliary gunboats or torpedo boats. Among these was the _Gloucester_, which did such fine work during the destruction of Cervera's fleet. It had formerly been a pleasure yacht belonging to Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan of New York. In addition to the vessels just named, the government also bought twenty-seven tugs to be changed into gunboats or cruisers; and it obtained seventeen steam vessels of various sizes to be used as transports and for many other purposes. Altogether the navy of 1898 comprised an imposing collection of vessels of many kinds and of various degrees of efficiency. Of the work which it accomplished we have already learned. * * * * * THE FOUR GREAT AMERICANS SERIES Biographical Stories of Great Americans for Young Americans EDITED BY JAMES BALDWIN, Ph.D. In these biographical stories the lives of great Americans are presented in such a manner as to hold the attention of the youngest reader. In these lives the child finds the most inspiring examples of good citizenship and true patriotism. [Illustration] VOLUMES NOW READY: I. FOUR GREAT AMERICANS George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln. By JAMES BALDWIN, Ph.D. Cloth, 246 pages. Price, 50 cents II. FOUR AMERICAN PATRIOTS Patrick Henry, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, U.S. Grant. By ALMA HOLMAN BURTON Author of The Story of Our Country, etc. Cloth, 256 pages. Price, 50 cents III. FOUR AMERICAN NAVAL HEROES Paul Jones, Oliver H. Perry, Admiral Farragut, Admiral Dewey. By MABEL BORTON BEEBE Cloth, 254 pages. Price, 50 cents OTHER VOLUMES IN PREPARATION COPYRIGHT, 1899, BY WERNER SCHOOL BOOK COMPANY The Lakeside Press R.R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY CHICAGO [Sidenote: THE BOOK OF THE HOUR for THE YOUTH OF AMERICA.... Just Published.] Lafayette, The Friend of American Liberty The proposal to erect a monument in Paris to the early friend of American liberty, GENERAL LAFAYETTE, by contributions from the patriotic school children of the United States, has aroused national enthusiasm for the memory of this noble man.... In view of the great interest which this fitting and significant movement has awakened in the life, character and services of the heroic soldier and patriot, the Werner School Book Company has just issued, edited by Dr. James Baldwin, "LAFAYETTE, THE FRIEND OF AMERICAN LIBERTY," By Mrs. ALMA HOLMAN BURTON, The author of "Four American Patriots," "The Story of Our Country," Etc.