The author began his work in the Salem Fire Department as a substitute in 1890, and since then, with the exception of a year and a half, during 1894 and 1895, while working in Maiden and Cambridgeport, and during two months following his failure of re-election as assistant chief, has been connected with the said department. He has studied the fire question in all its phases, read papers at meetings of the Massachusetts State Firemen’s Association twice, has delivered his illustrated fire lecture, "Soldiers of Peace," throughout the state, and numbers among his personal friends some of the ablest fire fighters in the world.

He has endeavored to tell the story of the Salem fire in a manner that shall interest all. There are many lessons to be learned from this fire. There is probably more than $3000,000.00 loss not covered by insurance.

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Citizens and city governments of our own and other cities, seeing where we were weak, may bring about better conditions.

The author’s thanks are due to the following, C. E. Robinson of the Eastman Nozzle System, Concord, N. H., Lieut. E. A. Rushford, Surgeon of the Second Corps of Cadets, Manager Butterick of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, M.