Transcriber's note: In this plain text version, underlined text in the original is surrounded by =equals symbols=; italic typeface is surrounded by _underscores_; bold typeface and small caps typeface are represented by UPPER CASE. The oe-ligature appears as [oe]. Changes to the text (to correct typographical errors) are listed at the end of the book. A few cases of missing punctuation have been regularised in the advertisements without comment. All advertising material has been retained in the same position as it appears in the original book. There are extensive advertisements before and after the title page, following the index and in a sixteen page publisher's catalogue at the end of the book. THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS * * * * * THE IAN HARDY SERIES BY COMMANDER E. HAMILTON CURREY, R.N. _Each Volume with Illustrations in Colour. 5s. each_ Ian Hardy's career in H.M. Navy is told in four volumes, which are described below. Each volume is complete in itself, and no knowledge of the previous volumes is necessary, but few boys will read one of the series without wishing to peruse the others. IAN HARDY, NAVAL CADET "A sound and wholesome story giving a lively picture of a naval cadet's life."--_Birmingham Gazette_. "A very wholesome book for boys, and the lurking danger of Ian's ill deeds being imitated may be regarded as negligible in comparison with the good likely to be done by the example of his manly, honest nature. Ian was a boy whom his father might occasionally have reason to whip, but never feel ashamed of."--_United Service Magazine_. IAN HARDY, MIDSHIPMAN "A jolly sequel to his last year's book."--_Christian World_. "The 'real thing.' ... Certain to enthral boys of almost any age who love stories of British pluck."--_Observer_. "=Commander E. Hamilton Currey, R.N., is becoming a serious rival to Kingston as a writer of sea stories.= Just as a former generation revelled in Kingston's doings of his three heroes from their middy days until they became admirals all, so will the present-day boys read with interest the story of Ian Hardy. Last year we knew him as a cadet; this year we get _Ian Hardy, Midshipman_. The present instalment of his stirring history is breezily written."--_Yorkshire Observer_. IAN HARDY, SENIOR MIDSHIPMAN "Of those who are now writing stories of the sea, Commander Currey holds perhaps the leading position. He has a gift of narrative, a keen sense of humour, and above all he writes from a full stock of knowledge."--_Saturday Review_. "=It is no exaggeration to say that Commander Currey bears worthily the mantle of Kingston and Captain Marryat.="--_Manchester Courier._