Barkham Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889

A compact practical compendium offering household advice, remedies, recipes and everyday curiosities alongside short how‑to guides for skills such as penmanship, letter writing and trade techniques. The text mixes prescriptive instruction on cooking, cleaning, pest control and simple medical aid with lists of facts, themes for debate, advertising pointers and rules of personal conduct. Numerous brief entries and recipes serve as quick reference for common problems, while longer sections provide step‑by‑step methods and general self‑improvement counsel, creating a miscellany intended to answer routine questions and supply useful tips for daily life.