OCR Text |
Show Gaskell's Compendium of Forms Mr. M. Powers Esq., of Salt Lake, widely known throughout Utah as a book agent who handles only the best works, called upon us for a few days since, and submitted to our inspection a new work with the above title, which he is now introducing to the public of this Territory. The work is a handsome quarto contains about 500 pages, is printed on beautiful, heavy, tinted paper, and, mechanically is a triumph of the typographical art. It is a veritable cyclo [unreadable] of such information as is most useful in practical life to the business man, merchant, farmer, professional man, teacher, and student. Among its contents are: A thorough course of lessons and instruction in penmanship, embracing an excellent system, and some plates that are real gems of the engraver's art; a course of instruction in bookkeeping, which is full, explicit and practical; treatise upon arthography, ? punctuation, English grammar, shorthand writing, composition and declamation, and elocution and oratory. The two latter are illustrated with engravings, which show correct attitude, gestures, etc. Reviewing the volume by course we next come to a dictionary of over 20,000 synonyms, an invaluable aid in letter writing, compositions of prose or verse etc. Next follows an explanation of the language of flowers, invaluable for lover's correspondence; next is a long list of words and phrases from other languages, with their translations; next comes several pages of proverbs, choice selections etc., poetical and literary gems etc.; next is given a lengthy treatise upon the subject of letter writing in all its branches, in that the enquirer may here learn just how to write any kind of letter he may ever have occasion to write. This is one of the best features of the entire work, and will prove of the highest value to correspondents. Next in order is a treatise on family and social life, containing many excellent hints and much good advice; and this is followed by a lengthy treatise on etiquette, which contains much sensible instruction upon the subject of manners and good breeding and describes plainly the etiquette to be observed at home, in calling, on the street, in the ball room, and in company on any occasion. This is a most useful feature of the work, and on its account, if no other, we should be glad to see the book widely circulated in this community. Next is a chapter on banking and general business, and then follows a most valuable feature, with a compilation of the laws of the states and territories upon a variety of subjects concerning which information is most frequently desired by the unprofessional classes such as mercantile transactions, contracts, agency and attorney, assignments, mortgages, deeds, landlord and tenant, rights of married women, exemptions from attachment, etc., etc. Next is a most excellent and intelligent treatise on agriculture, with valuable tables relating to quantities of seeds required per acre, weights and measures of farm crops, etc. This department of the book is in itself a compendium of information invaluable to the farmer. It is followed by a corresponding department for mechanics, containing tables, etc., etc., especially valuable to them. Then follows a treatise on parliamentary rules and considerable number of pages devoted to statistical information, etc. From the foregoing it will be perceived that this book is in itself a valuable library of useful, practical knowledge. It is, in short, one of the very best books that a business, professional or young man, a farmer, mechanic or family, could possess, and we deem it a duty to urge its wide sale in our community. Mr. Powers has the agency of the Territory, and he would be pleased to employ sub-agents to canvass for the work. He has given the agency of Clarkston, Newton and Trenton to Andrew McComb of the latter place. |