The importance of the subjects introduced, and their influence upon the happiness of the household, constitute a sufficient claim for a favorable reception of this volume; for, though many books have been written on domestic affairs, Yet no treatise so complete in all its parts, within the limits of a convenient manual, has been given to the public before the appearance of this work. In many matters beside cookery does the inexperienced housewife need instruction and guidance. It has been a study, in this volume, to reduce to practical rules the best theories concerning an extensive and varied range of household duties, and to furnish simple and useful directions in each branch of this most interesting of sciences, that the work might be safely consulted in all matters relating to the manifold responsibilities of the housekeeper.

The young housekeeper will appreciate the advantages of a compendium which embraces rules and advice pertaining to all the duties expected of her; advice as to early house training, the taking and furnishing of a house; the different departments filled by servants, and the superintendence of the mistress; the laying in of stores and purchases in market; the art of making and arranging things used every day, and of setting out a table to advantage; the care of children, and the best food for them; the preparations most useful for invalids; the attendance at meals, and various matters in household management which no book before this has ever taught in detail, but which are commonly left to the slow teaching of individual experience. While endeavoring to make this manual or cyclopedia so complete as to meet all the wants of those who lack knowledge, care has been taken to arrange the various departments with clearness and method. A carefully prepared and copious index will at once direct the reader to any thing wanted.

In the department of Cookery, arranged under forty-five heads, an unusually large variety of recipes is given for the styles in every-day living - soups, meats, sauces, etc, because it was desirable to include the latest improvements, and because the want of variety in such preparations is usually complained of in American cookery. The French having so much the advantage of us, it is as well to learn something more of their roasted art, that those who choose may avail themselves of the knowledge. A number of choice recipes, therefore, from very recent French and English works, have been added to those contributed by American housekeepers of long experience and tried skill. Several valuable recipes, never before made public, have been furnished for this work by Delmonico, Taylor, Wagner, Sneckner, and other proprietors of celebrated establishments in New York.

The Toilet Department, and Perfumery, Cosmetics, etc, do not strictly belong to housekeeping; but every lady must desire some knowledge of them, and it is convenient to have a manual containing instructions as to the compounding of articles required for the hair and complexion. The fair reader will not object to the space and attention devoted to these matters.

The Family Medical Guide is not designed to interfere with the province of the physician, but to furnish simple and approved recipes for use when medical advice cannot be procured, and palliatives to promote the comfort of the sick. All these recipes have been submitted to a prominent physician, and approved by him.

The section appropriated to the sick is unusually comprehensive, containing many new recipes. The Miscellaneous Department is also enriched with several tried and excellent ones, never before published. The numerous illustrative cuts, which are found in no other volume, will help to explain the method and use of various housekeeping articles. E. F. E.