An encyclopaedia of domestic economy ... / by Thomas Webster ; assisted by the late Mrs. Parkes.

  • Webster, Thomas, 1773-1844
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An encyclopaedia of domestic economy ... / by Thomas Webster ; assisted by the late Mrs. Parkes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    cularly at the time of life when it is first wanted, and required to be brought into play. The Editor is of opinion that the heads of families should not be con- tented with the knowledge that may be gained from uneducated persons who necessarily commit innumerable errors in their reasoning ; but that they should understand the rationale of the various processes put in practice by others, which alone can give them the power of distinguishing between what is judicious and what is faulty. To say nothing of the female portion of society, who are more particularly expected to regulate and direct domestic affairs, there are many situations in which some ac- quaintance with domestic matters is indispensable even to the lords of the creation. This is more especially the case with officers in the army and navy, and with those who emigrate, or form colonies. It is vain to expect many valuable improvements from persons who have only what is termed mere practise to depend upon : by frequently repeating the same operations, they acquire a certain degree of skill, but being with- out principles to guide them, their attempts at improvement too often prove abortive; and if some scientific acquirements be essential to the progress of the domestic as well as the other arts, to whom should we look for the posses- sion of these advantages ? The answer is obvious—to those possessed of affluence and leisure, who have alone the means of attaining it sufficiently. It would be useless to pursue this subject farther ; and thus much has been said to account for some peculiarities in the present work, where the Editor has adverted to this subject. The Editor ventures to hope, that to many this suggested union of science with practice will not prove irksome; on the contrary, he is satisfied that much rational amusement may be derived from the experiment. It may not be necessary for every one to brew or to bake, make wine, or light a fire ; yet to go through each of these operations once, so as to comprehend the prin- ciples upon which success depends, may really be made an entertaining occu- pation. In another point of view, it may be observed, that some persons unac- quainted with the intimate connection that exists between the several branches of human knowledge, have wondered how chemistry could be useful to a cook, or the philosophy of heat to a housemaid ; and are consequently inclined to ridicule what they look upon as the pedantry of science. But it ought to occasion no surprise that the knowledge of the properties of steam should be necessary to those who constantly use it, or that some ac- quaintance with the theory of ventilation should direct the practice of those who have to change the air of our apartments. The wonder, indeed, is, or should be, that each should perform his duties efficiently, without some ac- quaintance with those laws of nature which have been included in the term Philosophy. To illustrate still farther his general views, the Editor will now advert briefly to the manner in which he has treated each of his subjects. The subject of Building naturally claimed his first attention; but the views by which he was guided in introducing this branch of the work, as well as the nature of the information conveyed, are so fully described in the