For, if it be not a misnomer, we are prompted to say that "Enquire Within" is peopled with hundreds of ladies and gentlemen, who have approved of the plan of the work, and contributed something to its store of useful information. There they are, waiting to be questioned, and ready to reply. Within each page some one lives to answer for the correctness of the information imparted, just as certainly as where, in the window of a dwelling, you see a paper directing you to "Enquire Within," some one is there to answer you.
Housekeepers of experience live at Nos. [1], [30], [438], [1251] and [2091]; old Dr. Kitchiner lives at [44]; Captain Crawley is to be found at [46] and [2568]; the well-known Mrs. Warren lives at [1809]; Miss Acton at [1310]; Dr. Franklin at [1398]; Mrs. Hitching at [215]; Mr. Banting at [1768]; Dr. Wilson Philip at [1762]; Mr. Withering at [2338]; Mr. Mechi at [997]; Dr. Stenhouse at [1776]; Dr. Erasmus Wilson at [1700]; Dr. Southwood Smith at [1743]; Dr. Blair at [2180]; M. Soyer at [1130]; Dr. Babington at [2407]; Miss Gifford at [2337]; and Dr. Clark at [2384]. In addition to these and many more, a Doctor lives at [475]; a Gardener at [249]; a Schoolmaster at [161]; a Butcher at [27]; a Dancing-Master at [139]; an Artist at [2548]; a Naturalist at [2330]; a Dyer at [2682]; a Modeller at [2346]; a Professed Cook at [1032]; a Philanthropist at [1368]; a Lawyer at [1440]; a Surgeon at [796]; a Chess Player at [71]; a Whist Player, almost next door, at [73]; a Chemist at [650]; a Brewer at [2267]; a Lawn Tennis Player at [2765]; a homœopathic Practitioner at [925]; a Wood-stainer at [1413]; two Confectioners at [1628] and [2024]; a Poultry-Keeper at [1642]; a Meteorologist at [962]; Philosophers at [973] and [1783]; a Practical Economist at [985]; a Baker at [1002]; a Master of the Ceremonies at [1924] and [2613]; a Bird Fancier at [2155]: a Washerwoman at [2729]; an Analytical Chemist at [2747]; an Accountant at [2769]; and so on.
Well! there they live—always at home. Knock at their doors—Enquire Within. No Fees to Pay!!
Much care has been taken in selecting the information that is given, and, as is amply shown by the above list, so many kind and competent friends have lent a hand in the production of this volume that is impossible to turn to any page without at once being reminded of the Generous Friend who abides there.
To some extent, though in a far less degree, assistance has been rendered by the authors of many useful and popular works, for which due acknowledgment must be made. Chief among these works are Dr. Kitchiner's "Cooks' Oracle"; "The Cook," in Houlston and Sons' Industrial Library; "The Shopkeeper's Guide;" "The Wife's Own Cookery," "The Practical Housewife," and many of the volumes of the "Reason Why" series.
Lastly, as in everyday life it is found necessary at times to make a thorough inspection of house and home, and to carry out requisite repairs, alterations, and additions, this has been done in the recent editions of "Enquire Within," to which some hundreds of paragraphs have been added, while others have been remodelled and revised in accordance with the progress of the times in which we live. Care, however, has been taken to alter nothing that needed no alteration, so that, practically, this Popular Favourite is still the old "Enquire Within;" improved, it is true, but in no way so changed as to place it beyond the recognition of those to whom it has been a Book Of Constant Reference since its first appearance.
[Publisher's Preface]
to the Seventy-Fifth Edition
The unparalleled success achieved by "
Enquire Within Upon Everything