Text: C. F. Briggs (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), May 31, 1845, vol. 1, no. 22, p. ??

[page 345, column 1, continued:]

NEW BOOKS, AND NEW EDITIONS.

An Encyclopedia of Domestic Economy, comprising such subjects as are most immediately connected with house-keeping, &c., &c. — Illustrated with nearly one thousand wood cuts. To be completed in twelve numbers at 25 cents. Parts 1, 2, and 3. Harper and Brothers.

THIS is unquestionably the most comprehensive work on the subject of Housekeeping, that has ever been undertaken since the days of Noah, and considering the great number of its illustrations, and their general excellence, it must be pronounced the cheapest. The first part is very properly devoted to architecture, the construction of a house being the first consideration towards house-keeping. The illustrations are mainly taken from Gwilt, one of the most reliable sources for architectural accuracy, with which we have any acquaintance. The publishers have very strangely introduced a view of Trinity church in this part, but for what reason we cannot possibly divine. There are plenty of domestic buildings in Downing's two books, which would have given a much better idea of an American house than Trinity church. It is greatly to be regretted that in a work of this importance, a few pages and a few designs had not been given to American houses, types of which may be found in great abundance both in town and country. The view of Wallaton Hall is given without the central pile, which imparts to that remarkable building its chief characteristic; there is enough given, however, to enable those who have never seen it to form some idea of its picturesque beauty. The methods of warming and ventilating houses are peculiarly valuable. The second part is devoted mainly to artificial illumination, and the third, which is most profusely illustrated, to furniture, plat and upholstery. Each part contains more than a hundred and twenty pages of closely printed matter in clear type, on handsome paper. Every man, when he takes a wife, should also procure a copy of this valuable Encyclopedia.