THE NATIONAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL FORMS. EMBRACING THE LAWS OF ETIQUETTE AND GOOD SOCIETY, AND CONTAINING PLAIN AND SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ART OF APPEARING TO THE BEST ADVAN SHOWING HOW TO WRITE A GOOD HAND, AND HOW TO EXPRESS WRITTEN THOUGHT IN A CORRECT AND ELEGANT BEING A Practical Guide to the Preparation of Business and fegal focuments. Bills, Receipts, Commercial Forms, Resolutions for Public Meetings, Private ENRICHED WITH Full and Carefully Prepared Tables of Reference, CONTAINING *IMPORTANT HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATING THE ART OF MAKING HOME Happy, With Rules for Games, Recreations, Home Amusements, Tableaux, etc., etc. CONTAINING ALUABLE HOUSEHOLD RECEIPTS, AND SHOWING HOW TO MAKE THE OST OF EVERYTHING. FORMING A COMPLETE AND COMPREHENSIVE BOOK OF REFERENCE, א BY JAMES D. McCABE. AUTHOR OF **THE PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE WORLD," "THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES," ETC., ETO. PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL PUBLISHING CO., PHILADELPHIA, PA., CHICAGO, ILL., ST. LOUIS, MO. BJ 1852 M17 1884 42406 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 187 J. R. JONES, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. ? PREFACE. HERE is scarcely any person who does not often feel the need of advice as to the best manner of performing the various duties of life. Young men and women upon first entering society are made to feel keenly their ignorance. of the many forms and customs to which all are expected to conform. No allowance is made for the inerience of young persons, and any social blunder, or awkwardness, is sharply criticised. Even those who are well informed in this respect are sometimes at a loss to know just what to do under certain circumstances. To all such a book embodying the rules recognized by the best society, and stating simply and plainly the exact thing that is required, and that should be done, must be a welcome assistance. It can be consulted at any time, and will show what the best society, in all parts of the country, regards as good manners. Almost every person, when engaged in conversation or debate, has felt the need of information as to historical events, statistical and geographical facts, etc. To obtain these it is generally necessary to search through many large volumes. All such persons will appreciate the assistance of a concise and wellarranged compendium, giving the information wanted in the clearest and simplest manner. The citizens of nearly every village and town frequently assemble in public meetings to give expression to their views upon matters in which they are interested. Yet very few are acquainted with the proper mode of conducting public meetings, and all need information upon these subjects. To all such a work containing explicit and simple directions upon this point, and giving the leading principles of what is termed "Parliamentary Law," must be most welcome and very useful. Both in town and country there are times when the evenings are long and dull, and we would gladly do something to enliven them if we only knew what to do. How gladly would we search |