PREFACE.

THE EDITOR, in congratulating himself upon the completion of this work, gratefully acknowledges the favors and courtesies extended to him by the PROFESSIONAL and SCIENTIFIC GENTLEMEN whom he has had occasion to consult. And, equally, to those Authors whose works have (by their consent) furnished much valuable information, he offers his sincere thanks.

The many books published-whether Cookery books, Family Doctor, or Law books; books on Dress, Furniture, Etiquette, Amusements, or Needlework- have none of them met the popular want, inasmuch as not more than one-tenth of the contents were useful in the household (however valuable to the expert). Their pages were encumbered with a mass of impracticable matter, which increased the volume so much, that what should have been contained in one book was made to fill several; thus not only increasing the cost, but rendering it as difficult to find the identical item required as to find a needle in a "haystack."

The object of the present work is to furnish a large number of needles, and to place them in a needle-case, having a place for each needle, and each needle in its place, so that it may be found the moment it is wanted; to furnish the digested contents of many books in one volume at the minimum cost-just as Professor Liebig, in the preparation of his extract, condenses an ox into the space of a small jar, retaining the essence, thereby reducing the cost and adding to the convenience.

While portions of this book are the results of a careful and comprehensive research of our best writers and most scientific men, it is not a mere compilation, but in plan and detail is the product of the Editor's own mental application.

A large proportion is original, in this view, that it has NEVER BEFORE

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BEEN PUBLISHED, but has accumulated from contact with sagacious and practical people, and now reduced to form ESPECIALLY FOR THIS WORK. The reader may depend upon everything in these pages as being PRACTICAL, having been proved by ACTUAL TRIAL AND CONSTANT USE. Two of the recipes presented were obtained at a cost of fifty dollars, in cash, for each, and many others at a cost varying from five to twenty dollars, for each, and were all proved before being admitted here.

It is not claimed that this work is perfect; but the Editor has spared no pains to make it useful. It is RELIABLE; and he feels confident that no work hitherto published contains so much general and valuable information, in such a condensed and useful form, or for many times its

None but those who have actually engaged in the preparation of a work of this kind can estimate the amount of labor involved, and the many difficulties to be overcome before it can be completed.

In claiming for this work the title of "A CONDENSED ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF ALL THINGS OF EVERY-DAY LIFE," the Editor thinks the public will endorse it, and sustain him in the assertion, that for whatever you want to know, ask the book and it will tell.

"Knowledge is power." It is treasured up in a reservoir from whence all may draw to make domestic use of which, it requires to be brought to our homes. We here offer a portable reservoir of that knowledgepower, and if by drawing from it the mother is enabled to lighten her household cares; to run the machinery of domestic life so that there shall be no creaking; to care for her children, that they may be healthy, virtuous, and wise-the boy to be active, manly, generous, and intelligent --the girl to be the joy of the household, industrious, unselfish, and refined

the father to guide and control the whole domestic economy, that all may work together in harmony with the laws of nature, then will the Editor feel that he has succeeded in his undertaking.

PHIMDELPHIA, 1878.