Genre:

Notes, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Domestic Economy, Encyclopaedias, Popularization

    Reinforces its purpose to 'convey so-called "information" to the vulgar in articles written by those who 'will work cheaply' and 'know but little of what they are writing about'. Claims that the article is written by a 'gentleman' who will 'mystify a few common-place subjects, in the style of certain articles in the Penny Cyclopaedia. Presents readers with 'Punch's Guide to Service; or, The Housemaid's Best Friend. Chapter 1. On the Processes and Rationale of Lighting Fires', which describes the art of building and igniting fires in ludicrously technical detail.