Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

INTRODUCTION. THOUGH Britain is the greatest hive of industry in the World, it is curious how little the average Briton knows of the primary sources of the Nation’s Greatness__ her Industries. We supply the World’s Markets with every commodity required by man, but comparatively few of the forty-one millions of inhabitants of the British Isles possess any definite knowledge of the Wonders of Art and Craft which are to be found in every workshop and factory throughout our own country. This being the case we are assured that “BRITAIN AT Work,” which tells for the first time in popular form the deeply interesting story of our Industrial Life, will receive an appreciative welcome from all who have at heart the well-being and prosperity of the Nation. Many of the secrets of Britain’s success and of her almost inexhaustible wealth will be revealed in the pages of “Britain at Work.” For us the gates of her world- famous manufactories will be opened, and at our leisure we may examine the master- pieces of her great Industries. We shall watch the building of a man-of-war from the time of “ laying down ” until that impressive moment when, casting off its fetters, it floats majestically upon river or sea. Later we shall see the making of the Nation’s guns, and in the great Shipbuilding yards of the country witness the growth of the ocean monarchs which will maintain for Britain the Commercial Supremacy of the World. The miner in the depths of the coal pit will claim our attention. We shall accompany him on his dangerous quest for the fuel which “moves the world,” and, having seen it wrested from the earth, we shall ascend with it to the pit-mouth, and follow its journey by rail and sea to the workshop and fireside. After Coal, the great lion and Steel Industries will pass in review before us, and an opportunity will be afforded of learning at first-hand many valuable facts relative to the wonderful processes of their manufacture. Remembering the wealth invested in the Land, we shall follow with interest the various operations necessary for the successful cultivation of the soil. The picturesque scenes of rural Britain will be portrayed for us, and the work of ploughing, sowing, and harvesting will be described in a manner that cannot fail to awaken a deeper and more intelligent interest in the Agricultural pursuits of this Country. We shall v isit a seed farm, and, in due course, watch the cultivation of flowers, vegetables, and fruit for market.