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To the Early American Edition,

IN fulfilling the duty of preparing for the press a new and enlarged edition of the valuable work of Mackenzie, the Editor has steadily borne in mind its evident aim at general practical utility; and consequently he has submitted both alterations and additions to its rules. While the former will be found but few-a circumstance arising from the nature of the book; the latter are both numerous and important amounting to about fifty pages, exclusive of those contained in the Miscellaneous Department and the Appendix.

The Medical part has been condensed, simplified, and adapted to the climate and diseases of the United States. A short, but complete manual of "Directions for rearing the Silk Worm, and the Culture of the White Mulberry Tree," together with an extensive article on the Diseases of the Horse, may be noticed as among the important additions. The Culinary art has not been neglected - the numerous original receipts from the best modern authorities of the "Kitchen," for preparing various delicacies of the animal and vegetable kingdom, including Pastry, Puddings, etc., will no doubt prove acceptable to American housekeepers. The man of family, the Sportsman, the Artist, the Mechanic, and the Farmer, have all been remembered. And an unusually large and correct Index gives every facility of reference that could be wished. The attention of the Reader is called to the "Miscellaneous Receipts." In this portion, which is very copious, numerous receipts have been placed, which could not with propriety be elsewhere arranged. It has also been made the receptacle of much valuable matter obtained from several kind female friends, and the fruit of researches into many curious and rare books; and which was prepared at too late a period for insertion in the appropriate departments. The Appendix of "Instructions in the Art of Carving," with its numerous wood cuts, will, it is hoped, prove acceptable and useful to our country readers, for whose accommodation this work was originally designed.

The Editor more especially notices the following works, as sources from which he has derived considerable assistance: The Franklin Journal; Willich's Domestic Encyclopædia, by Professor Cooper; a Tract published by the Pennsylvania Society for the Rearing of Silk-Worms, etc.; and the curious work of Colonel Hanger, of sporting memory.

In conclusion, the publishers beg leave to state, that neither time nor expense has been considered in endeavoring to render this edition cheaper and better than any other which has been published, and at the same time worthy of the patronage which is solicited for it. They have availed themselves of the services of a gentleman as Editor, who has been for a considerable time engaged in the preparatory researches. The type, though small, is very legible and distinct; and in the selection of the paper, whilst regard has been had to the color, it has been deemed of main importance that it should be sufficiently durable to resist the frequent usage into which a work of this description must necessarily be called.