Arts REVEALED, manners, embroidery, cures, herbs, 1854

Arts Revealed, and Universal Guide; containing many rare and invaluable Recipes and Directions for the Use of Families
by
Anon. [E Hutchinson]

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 DETAILS: (New York): American Family Publication Establishment, 1854. First edition. Original brown cloth binding with gilt lettering and stamped decoration. 135pp. Size:  8vo  - 6in (14.5cm) by 8.5in (21.2cm) (standard sized book).

CONDITION: Good (see table below for details). Marking to boards. General edgewear. Bumping to lower corners. Gilt lettering to spine faded. Rubbing to top and bottom of spine. Top of spine worn away, and partly repaired with glue. Bookplate to front pastedown reads: 'Ex Libris J. Colin Dagnall' (*see below for details). Foxing and staining to pastedowns and endpapers. Title page browned. Pages with occcasional foxing. Numerous marginal purple crayon ticks and underlining in text. Hinges and binding quite firm. Collated and complete. *Photo(s) given of actual book.

CONTENTS: '... from the best authorities, embracing directions for treating diseases - behaviour of ladies and gentlemen - embroidery and other kinds of needlework - information as to roots and herbs - compounding medicines - how to be prepared for accidents, etc. Several recipes cost from $20 to $50 each, having never before been published.'

'Arts Revealed' provides a wealth of information for families in pre-Civil War America, containing sections detailing 'Invaluable Recipes for Families', 'Moderator's Guide, or Parliamentary Rules for Conducting Public Meetings', 'Important Instructions for Young Ladies and Young Gentlemen in respect to dress, cleanliness etc', 'Needle-Work for Young Ladies', 'Rules of Politeness for Gentlemen', 'Miscellaneous Recipes', 'The Doctor at Home', 'Medical Qualities of Roots and Herbs', 'Diseases of Children', 'Choice Medical Compounds to be kept on Hand', and even 'Cake Book'!

While containing an extensive description of the properties of certain plants, the text is notable more for its portrayal of life in the nineteenth century, including a dismissive attitude towards young gentlemen and ladies, and a comprehensive list of accidents (such as catching fire, falling into a river, or being struck by lightning) to which solutions are provided. Particularly notable is the advice 'if seized by an alligator, gouge out his eyes!'

There is also advice for young gentlemen for choosing a wife: 'Don't allow yourself to be deceived and fascinated by a gay, dashing young lady, fond of company, extravagant, vain, artistical and showy in dress. It is not a doll or a coquette you want for a partner. Choose rather one of those retiring, modest, sensible, neat youg ladies, who has learned to deny herself, and possess a decided mind, and has acquainted herself with the domestic affairs of a family.' 

An entertaining and absorbing work, in collectable condition.

Colin Dagnall trained at the London Foot Hospital in the late 1940's, and spent almost 50 years in private practice. Editor of the British Journal of Chiropody for many years, he was also an active member of many of his profession's governing bodies.

Many of the books contain the doctor's bookplates and private library cards, inscriptions from and to other prominent figures in the profession, and loose ms. notes. Where appropriate, we have noted these in the description, and left all such ephemera in situ as it came to us.

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