The American domestic cyclopædia, a volume of universal ready reference for American women in American homes

Preface

The object of this volume is to provide a helpful assistant, guide and counsellor to the housewife, which may be consulted at all times and in any emergency, and it is believed that the information herein contained will save labor, time and money in every household wherein the book shall find a place. An attempt has been made, in the compilation of the book, to include every subject in which woman is interested, wherein information of a practical nature can be imparted through printed instructions. Consequently not only are the various practical and necessary duties of woman helpfully treated, but considerable space is likewise given to the more fanciful employments of the sex, as for instance fancy work, embroidery, lace making, home decoration, painting, floriculture, etc. It miiy be said that the work is an epitome of nearly all that may be learned from books upon the twin subjects of housekeeping and homemaking. Nor has the social side of woman's existence been neglected, as a perursal of the excellent departments of " Etiquette " and « Home Amusements " will abundantly testify.

Particular attention is called to the valuable department of " The Nursery," contributed by Mrs. Effie W. Merriman, a lady of experience and au accomplished writer ; to the department of " Artistic Embroidery," written by the popular author and eminent authority upon the subject, Mrs. Ella Rodman Churcli ; to the valuable department of " Cooking Eecipes," compiled by a practical housekeeper and believed to be the best collection of recipes ever contained in a volume of this character; to "The Home Physician," wherein will be found simple yet reliable and efficacious home remedies for all common ailments, and to the excellent department of "Decorative Painting," contributed by the talented sisters Lida and M. J. Clarkson.

The mission of the book is to lighten the cares and the burdens and to multiply the pleasures and enjoyments of home. How to reduce labor by iv PREFACE.

the application of methods discovered by practical and progressive women ; how to save time and money by the same or similar methods ; how to subdue disease by the use of simple home remedies rather than the employment of a physician in ordinary emergencies ; how to make the home beautiful — these are subjects of immediate personal concern to every progressive housewife. That this book may save many a weary hour of labor, and by helpful suggestion dispense many a blessing in every home wherein it may find a place, is the earnest hope of its compiler and authors.