viii PREFACE
Arts and Sciences of Harvard University have enabled me to devote an uninterrupted year to the preparation of this volume and of several technical papers. During six years of intimate association with Professor Davis, I have ever found him the most inspiring of teachers, the most thoughtful of fellow travelers, and the most severe and helpful of critics. He has read the manuscript of this volume, and has suggested important modifications. The many faults of the book are mine; to him is due a large share of whatever in it may be valuable. I cannot here give adequate expression to my deep appreciation of all his help and kindness.
Two other friends have read the manuscript — Mrs. Charles L. Ziegler and Mr. Herbert R. Gibbs. Both have made most valuable suggestions, especially as to matters of literary form, where the scientist is apt to be weakest; and to both I render hearty thanks. My indebtedness to Mr. Robert L. Barrett, whose companion I was during the first part of the journey here described, is great, as appears in the Introduction. In India we were treated with the utmost courtesy by the government through Lord Curzon, to whom we would express our gratitude. The American traveler expects kindness from his English cousins, and is never disappointed. It is less common to be treated with unfailing courtesy and consideration by Chinese officials. It is therefore with peculiar pleasure that I put on record my thanks to the Chinese government for its genuine and ready help at all stages of my journey in China. In Russia and Siberia, through which lay my hasty homeward way, similar official courtesy was shown. The best was placed at my disposal ; and although it was the midst of the revolutionary crisis,
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