E 174 .N552 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDD24D1'^D3 ^oV^ :•' /"-^ A «» c"-* -^o • O > .0^, .^ ^q <> -..o' ,^' o * IT 1 • ,0 COBURN&COOKPUBLISHINGCO.'S Confidential Description cc jl:m:eK/IO A. " FOR THEIR .^O-EI^TS. >- «v^ Act well your part, there all the honor lies'— P6pe. THE COBl RX .t COOK PURWSHING CO. COrVRIGHT, THE COBURX \ COOK PUBLISHING CO. *i.SS3. CONFIDENTIAL. DESCRIPTION OF AMERICA. FOR ^gents^ XJse. The articles referred to in this description are to be found in the general instruction book. The notes at the bottom of the pages are in- tended to give the agent a more thorough knowl- edge of the prospectus and book, therefore they should be studied carefully, and used whenever it seems necessary. Some of the notes refer to the pages of the book and are not to be found in the prospectus. The large text of this book is in- tended to be carefully committed, and as a rule thoroughly used, although it may be shortened at the discretion of the agent. Our old agents who proceed on this method, however lengthy it may appear, have met with the best success, therefore we ins'st that our long method of showing the book should be carefully committed to memory. We have added a short description at the end of the ' ^ok for the purpose of ^neeting the wants of agei ', who need a short method of canvassing. DESCRIPTION OF AMERICA. FOR AGENTS' USE. All articles referred to are found in the general instruction book. One of the conditions on -which xve gave you the agency of this -work ivas that you should carefully commit this description to memory^ -word for Tvord. Unless you do this, you are sure to fail. The best tvay for you to do is, after reading and studying our book of the general instructioi- 'ticle by article, until you feel yourself master of all the rules and principles laid down, and ca7i meet every point, then take your prospectus aiid begin "with this description, and commit to memory , point by faint. Do not undertake to learnt the xvhole description by readi?ig it through several times, but learn to show each page of your prospectus .separately — persevere until you are able to give an enthusiastic and fluent description to some of your friends, without hesita- tion. 7'ou must not only ktiow how to shoxv the pros- pectus from first to last in the order of this descrip- tion, but to begin at any point and describe it back- ivard or forxvard, as circumstances may require. We mean by this, that you must be so familiar with the . description that you will not be obliged to stop and think. To assist in committing to memory the de- scription, a good way is to copy it several times. Ton must also remember the page oti -which any projninent historical point is made, so that in case of inquiry, or should you zvish to point to some interesting feattire^ ^ou can readily do so — viz : The origin of the expres- sion^ '■'•Uncle Sam^'''' page ^j>j. In shorty interesting paragraphs like ihis^ it is -wise to read it. It will be easier than you think frotn the length of the descrip- tion^ to become familiar with it. The headings on each page assist the memory^ and the prominent re- marks in regard to each is all you need to memorize. Be sure and study carefully the notes at the bot- toms of the pages^ not only to give yourself a thorough knotvledge of the bo'k^ but to enable you when ques- tioned to give intelligent answers. Make yourself perfect matter of this description. If you do so, and canvass /rom ten to fifteen persons each day, spend- ing time enough with each to thoroughly show him the book, a7id exhaust all powers of argument and persuasion, you are sure to succeed. Remeinber, that to make a S'lccessftd agent for America you tnust understand all the points of our instruction book and meTnorize this description. HOW TO PROCEED. If you have an assistant (see note i) he will give you a pleasant introduction {see art. 14), if not .^ you can introduce yourself [see art. 2"/); you have leariied the person'' s name and something about him (see art. 26), and you can say, *' This is Mr. ( ), I be- lieve; my name is ( ); I represent the house of CoBURN & Cook of Chicago, If among farmers or the person looks as though he could be approached familiarly, always shake hands cordially. In toivnSy among busifiess, litermy ^ and prominent men, no familiayity should be attempted. If you see that the opportu7iity for beginning the canvass is favorable {see art. sy), after aferv coinmonplace remarks begin your canvass promptly {see art. 2g). Say, I have called, Mr. ( ) to bring to jour attention a work of great national importance — {^see note 2). Seat yourself if you have not already done so, in a good position for canvassing {see art. 28), and produce your prospectus. It is a complete reference book to every fact of importance that has ever occurred in the history of this country, either civil, polit- ical, military, inventive, or biographical. It is entitled America, Its History and Biography, em- bracing North, South and Central America. Open the front cover, and pointing with the finger acrosS one of the back strips, say. This is the thickness of one book ; you see it is a very large work, an im perial octavo volume; this is only a sample con- taining selected pages, and showing just what the book is. It is elegantly illustrated {turn to Wash- NoTE 1.--- After a man becomes an experienced and skillful canvasser an assistant is not of mucn value except to assist in starting- the list ; but to a new agent, provided a popular and reliable man can be procured , an assistant is of great value. Note 2. ---In canvassing- in any community, if you have made proper inquiries, you will have learned something- about what books are in the possession of the person on whom j-ou are about calling. This is a very easy matter in the country. If a man has an enc^^clopaedia yovi are likely to hear of it. In this case introduce it as above. If he has not introduce it in this manner: "I have called, Mr. — . , to show you a new encyclopsedia, which is having a great sale among the people generally." ingtoii's fortrait)^ as you see by this exceedingly fine new steel portrait of our first President. Here the subscriber may take the prospectus from your hands — {see art. 24). I think the face is very life- like and natural, don't you, Mr. ( )? The title page is considered a very beautiful one. Read it in a clear and distinct^ but natural tone of voice (see note f). Ttirn now to Part I. The book is divided sys- tematically and scientifically into parts and sec- tions; each part covering its proper period of his- tory. For instance. Part I. takes up introductory studies and treats of the Mound-builders and the American Indians. Turn now to page 5^, saying: Pre-historic America. The Author begins his work by giving a full and interesting account of the Pre-historic Races, sometimes called the Mound Builders- Grave Creek Mound, West Virginia, shows the appearance of one of their mounds. It \S 1,000 feet in circumference and 75 feet high. It was Note 3. ---You will probably be asked, "Who is Mr. Newman, the author?" You will reply, "He is Prof. Stephen M. Newman, of Ripon CoUeg-e, Wisconsin, the popular Lecturer and Historian ; he is a g^raduate of Bowdoi n Colleg-e, and ranked among- the first in his class. He is also graduate of Andover Theological Seminary, and has spenf years of his life in the study of American History, and nearly three years in the preparation of this book. He is a thor- ough scholar, g-raceful and graphic writer, and a careful ana conscientious historian. If asked of v) hat religions de- nomination he is a member y say, He is a prominent Con gregational clergyman and professor at Ripon College. examined a few years ago by running a shaft into it where two chambers were found, one above the other, about 30 feet apart. They were formed of upright timbers with beams laid across the top to support the roof. In the upper chamber was found a skeleton, a large number of ornaments, carved stones, evidently utensils, "and shell beads. The lower mound contained two skeletons and a stone with very singular characters inscribed upon it, which no one has been able to decipher. The larg- est mound known is at East St. Louis, being at least 90 feet high. Page 55. — Ancient Works at Marietta, Ohio. — These are in a very beautiful location, and be. fore the most of them were removed, presented a very regular and systematic appearance, show- ing that the people . who made them must have had some knowledge of mathematics — {see note Page/)o. — Stone Axes, — These give an idea of the tools which they used; they were made of very hard stone, and highly polished; some of them are grooved so that a handle'could be attached. Note 4.---Always point with the finger to the illustra- tion you are showing. Note e,,--Book Paffi^jy.--\loYa.ce Greeley once visited the ruins near Newark, Ohio, saying before he ^vent that he could easily tell by whom and when thev were built, but noticing the evidences of engineering skill and antiquit}-, he wrote to the New York Tribuve, "As to the origin, bv whom built, and for what purpose, all we can say, is, it is here." They were a more powerful tool than one would imagine. Sculptured Pipes. — They were evidently to- bacco users, and had some skill in carving. {See note 6.) Page 62. — Ancient Idol and Altar of Copan. — This is skillfully carved from stone, and had a religious use. Page 64. — Ancient Ruins in Yucatan. — These engravings give some idea of the extent and mag- nificence of the Central American ruins, which excel all other parts of the Continent. They were built pf solid stone, and curiously carved and Note 6. - -Book Page^b. - - All remains of the Mound Build - ers which have been found, indicate great age. It has been demonstrated that they mined copper in the Lake Superior region at an unknown period. One excavation was discov- ered thirty feet deep partially filled with decayed wood, and a mass of copper weighing nearly six tons was found to have been raised some distance, and to be resting upon skids; the upper surface had been thoroughly beaten by means of large stone mauls, which Avere found; large trees were growing in the rubbish, which must have been at least 400 years old. Lake Superior copper has spots of silver in it, and is the only copper known to exist in this country w^hich contains them; this copper has been found in most of the mounds in the Middle and Southern States, also in Peru, showing that trade must have existed through the entire continent. It must have been mined in the Lake Superior region, perhaps thousands of years ago. The American Indians had but a small amount of copper, and no knoAvledge of mining it. The foregoing account of their mining should be com - mitted to memory and used if the person appears inter- ested, if not, omit it. It is well to reserve it to relate as a point of interest, if the order is not obtained at first. Should the subscriber appear interested in the mourid builders, the account of the cliff dwellers could be used in the same way. ornamented. One known as the Temple occupies a space of 624x809 feet, and is 70 feet high; 26,- 000,000 cubic feet of stone must have been used in its construction, showing them to have be«n a one time a numerous and powerful people. When the Spaniards explored the country these ruins bore evidence of great age. This work on Prehistoric America is one of the most interesting features of this book, and is alone worth the price. Here the price of the book may be asked^ if not before — see art. ji . No other history of America contains anything near the amount of information on this subject. Page 7/. — The History of the American In- dians is then taken up in an able and interesting manner. Their probable origin is given, an esti- mate of the number on the continent when America was discovered, a description of each tribe and its location — their manners, habits, and customs in peace and war. Page 7j. — Indian Weapons. — These were Book Pao-edj.- -The cliff dwellers of Southern Arizona and Mexico were probably of the same race ; their dwelling-s have only recently been discovered. One of these sing-ukir houses was built "in the face of a cliff over 600 feet from the bottom of the canvon in a niche in the wall, steps being- cut into the face of "the rock leading up to the ledge upon which this house was built; the house was twelve feet high, had two stories, and contained three rooms about 6x9 feet; the workmanship of the dwelling- was excellent, and quite tastefully stuccoed and painted; they seem to have been places of refuge during time of war, as they were evidently intended for defence. made with great skill, and a great deal of care was used in their manufacture. Page 75. — ^The Crow Chief in Full Dress is an exact drawing from life — and this {page 76) illustrates the manner of preparing scalps. Page 77. — Squaws Going to Market, and In- dians Torturing Whites, show two sides to the Indian character. The cruelty of the American Indian is unsurpassed by that of any savage race. {See note 7.) Note 1. •••Page 80.— The Indian War Da7ice.—K.\\ the tribes had this custom, the dance differing- in the different tribes. — Pa^^ 8/.— This manner of carrying- a child is still seen among- the Western tribes. The iEantastic dresses of the medicine men were supposed to frighten away the evil ' spirits that they believed possessed the sick. They had but little skill in medicine, but had some good remedies. Paoe Sy.-- -They worshiped the sun as illustrated in this fine full page engraving-, also the moon and stars, fire and wa- ter, etc. Page 8^. — T/te Half Breed.- ••This is a fine representa- tion of one of the best types — the voung sqvia\v is of splen- did physical proportions, and has a noble and dig^nified ex- pression. She IS shading her eyes with a fan made of feathers of the white eagle. In the Indian Territory and the far ^Vest, some of the half-breed squaws are verv beautiful. GenerAl Eli S. Parker, a Seneca chief, was a fine-look- ing- man, and of good general abilities. He v\'as a member of Gen. Grant's staff' during the war. Benito Juarez, the Central American patriot, is another instance of the ability of the Indian mind. Hendrick, Corn -planter, Red Jacket, Brant, Dr. Wilson, and Gen. Parker were all Irocjuois. The popular belief that the Indian race is dying out, is an error. The best statistics show that this is not the case. Col. Meacham, who was wounded at the Modoc massacre, ;ind who is a good authority on the present state of Indian life in the AVest, says they are gradually increasing. The author of this work seems friendly disposed toward the In- dians and urges the importance of evangelization and citi- ;ienship. He has evidently studied their character with PLAN OF THE WORK. Page 8g. — We now come to tne peculiar plan of the work. In the usual arrangement of histor- ical Avorks, the mind is confused by treating events which occurred the same year, in widely separated chapters, it being the custom after partially com- pleting one subject to take up another, and so on, to the end of the work. (This is very <:onfusing.) Thus, a person will remember a number of facts and incidents, but will have no clear idea of the relations of events as they occur. This is the rea- son why it is so difficvilt to remembec historical facts iti the proper connection. But you see that this book is arranged in chronological paragraphs, or in the order of time in which the facts occurred. It enables one to keep the events in his mind in their pioper order. It also enables one to remem- ber dates, which you know, Mr. ( ), is very difficult. This plan not only enables one to re- 2;reat g;uo, and tells the whole story in a vivid and inter- esting manner. Their wars and cruelties to captives are depictec _is well as their more_ plcasinp- phases of charac- ter. Bit)g-raphies of all the most celebrated Indian chiefs are gcivcn in this book. INIontezuma, Atahuallpa, the Inca of Peni, Powhatan, King- Philip, Bi-ant, Pontiac, Osceola, Black Hawk, Tecumseh, Captain Jack the Modoc chieftain, and many other powerful chieftains are given through the work. The history of the fierce Iroquois or Five Nations of New York and their relations to the Jesuit priests, is fully told. For several centuries thev were despotic rulers from Maine to the Mississij)pi, and Tin- tenor of all th<; other tribes. II member dates, but to easily find any fact or date which he wishes. The orderly and systematic arransrement of this book instructs the mind, and strengthens the memory. Besides, vou save a large amount of valuable time, bv arriving readily at any fact you wish. You see we begin with the very earliest date, 499, or nearly i,ooo years before the discovery of the country by Columbus, and bring it down to July i8, i883,inckiding the Garfield tragedy ; thus giving nearly fourteen centuries of history, with every important event, fact, or personage, so placed as to be readily referred to, and the line of histcH-ical facts preserved. All the dates are ac- curately given ; the year, the month, and the day of the month, where possible. {See note 8.) Page age loj; so you see it is impossible to get events confused. {See note jo.) N0TE9. ---Po^^^ 97.---An interesting" incident is the Va- riation of the Needle of the compass, Avhich was first no- ticed September 13, i^gz, paoe gT. The wonderful Sargasso Sea is described as looking- like an immense ereen field stretching out as far as the ej'e could reach, and covering an area larger than France. The stem of the seaweed which causes this wonderful appearance, is at least 1,500 feet long, and no larger than a man's finger; Columbus sailed safely through it in spite of the fears of his men that he ^vould soon be aground. • Note io."Book Page QS.--T/ie Discovery was made Oct. 12, 1493, and the famous landing made. It is singular that what was called an unlucky day, Friday, should have been the day. The first cigars and corn ever known to Euro- peans were here seen in use among the Indians. The first settlement was made Nov. 27, 1493, on the Island of Hayti. The first mainland settlement was made in 1502 on the coast of South America by the Spaniards. Always point ■with the finger to any date vj hen you vtentioft it. 13 Page 104. — I learned at school, and always sup- posed before I saw this book, Mr. ( ), that negro slavery was first introduced into this coun- try by the Dutch, at Jamestown, in 16^0, but I find that this author goes much deeper into the history of the country, and says it was introduced by the Spaniards, and sanctioned by royal au- thority as early as ic^oi, page 104. Section V embraces Balboa and Cortez, and the period between 1507 and 1522. Note ii.--Book Page ioi.--The Indians were first en- slaved in 1494 by Columbus, who sent 500 of them to Spain to be sold as slaves. This is the first account of slavery given in the History of America. Note it..-- -Page /oj.---Americus Vespucius made his voyage in 1499, and on his return to Spain wrote a book which caused one of the early geographers to call the country America, in his honor. It is not probable that Vespucius had any connection with the ciicumstance itself. Note i3.---/'fl.o-^ 106. ---The most daring canoe voyage ever attempted was made by some of the followers of Co- lumbus at the time of his shipwreck on the Island of Ja- maica in 1503; they crossed from Jamaica to Hayti, a dis- tance of 120 miles, in small canoes on the open sea. Note \if.---Page loj. — This fine full page engraving represents the manner of taking codfish on the Banks of New Foundland. These fishing grounds are known to have been visited by fishermen from Europe as early as 1504, and probably at an earlier date. As this was only twelve years after the discovery of the country by Colum- bus, these men might have known of the existence of the continent which was so near them. Ignorant fishermen, however, with no use for land, could not realize the impor- tance of the discovery. Note i5.---P(7.foint to them as you go along and say, These fine engrav- ings illustrate the Mexican, Central and South American scenery^ IS treasure of all kinds. The cruelty of the Span- iards and the sad fate of Montezuma is one of the most romantic passages in American history. Page isy. — Nearly every one to whom I have shov^rn this book has been taught that Capt. Cook was the first circumnavigator of the globe. It is remarkable the large number of popular errors disclosed by this book. The first voyage around the world was made by one of the ships of the Magellan Expedition, commanded by Sebastian Cano, in 1522, over 250 years before Cook made his voyage, which was in 1778. Page i2g. — Pizarro's wonderful Conquest of Peru is well brought out. He is said to have captured more treasure than any other military conqueror, before or since. His exploits are only equaled by Cortez' in hardihood and daring. The amount of gold captured by him from the Inca of Peru alone, was sufficient to fill a room as high as a man could reach, 22 feet long, and 16 feet wide. It was paid over by the imprisoned Inca to save his life. But the iron-hearted Spaniard had him speedily executed. It is hard to find a parallel in history of the cruelties which the Spaniards in- flicted upon the inhabitants of Mexico and Peru. Page ij6. — It is generally believed that the first books printed in America were printed in Cam- bridge, Mass., in 1640, and I find that our best educators are surprised to learn that 105 years be- i6 fore, or in 1535, books were printed in Mexico. Read paragraph tinder First Printing. The first mint on the continent was also established in the City of Mexico in 1535. Page ij8. — Here is begun a very full account of De Soto's daring but disastrous march to the Mississippi, the Indian " Father of Waters." Page 1^2. — The introduction of the Slave Trade into the New World by the English. You will tind a very full account of slavery given in the work — its introduction by Sir John Hawkins, the various steps in its progress, its disastrous results and its final abolition in '63. Page 757. Portrait of Sir Martin Frobisher. This striking likeness is from an oil painting taken from life. Page 160. — Sir Walter Raleigh, smoking. This amusing illustration shows what a surprise it must have been to the English people to see a man with smoke issuing from his mouth. The Note \-f.'- Boole Paoe /j2. --That there is nothing- new under the sun is well illustrated by this work. The i)apers have lately been full of a scheme in regard to :i canal across the Isthmus of Panama. It is quite wonderful to find that over ,^56 years ago, in 1527, Spaniards proposed to run a shii) canal across the Isthmus by way of Lake Nicaragua, and in 1551 four lines were proposed across Central Ameri- ca. Louis Napoleon, before he became emperor, obtained a charter for that purpose in 1S46, {.p^iSfe^sS,) he advocated the route b- 'he River San Juan and Lake Nicaragua. Now in this work by its excellent arrangement you can easily trace sucli jjoints of interest as this without reading I lage after page as we would have to in an ordinary liisto- ry; here we have each event and fact by itself. 17 servant, supposing him to be on fire, dashes a pitcher full of water over him. Tobacco was in- troduced into England at the time of Raleigh's expedition. Page iby. — Pocahontas. This is a pleasing picture of the pretty little Indian maiden to whom we are indebted for one of the romantic incidents of American history, in her rescue of Capt. John Smith. {See note ig.) Page iby. — Here we have an account of ihe firstnianufactory erected in the New World — the humble beginning of the immense American in- dustries of the present day. {See note 20.) Page lyj. — The First Indian Toper. This scene occured on Henry Hudson's voyage up the Hudson River. The Indians came on board the vessel and were treated with the first "fire-water" they had ever drank. One of the number was soon overcome by the unusual stimulant, which caused great alarm among them. The squaw apparently thinks him dead, by her anxious ex- NOTE iS.---Pa^e 160. ---In 1587, August iS, Virginia Dare, the first white child of English parentage, wasoorn in Virginia, and, after Snorri, the daughter of the North- man, the first white child born in the United States. Note 19- --/'o^t- 767. ---In this story we have a counter- part of an incident in the life of the Spanish explorer Ortis, who was saved by the daughter of an Indian chief in a like manner. Note 20. ---Pag'e 767.- -"Germs of Manufactiu-e"---It is sometimes well to add when canvassing a German, "You notice that they were your countrymen who gave us our first lessons." pression, while the Dutchmen enjoy her con- fusion. Page jyg. — Landing of the Pilgrims. — This fine engraving gives a very life-like idea of the landing on Plymouth Rock; a yovmg woman is said to have landed first. Page i8i. — Origin of Thanksgiving. — As the harvest had been so abundant at Plymouth, a fes- tival was appointed and held ; this originated the Thanksgiving of to-day. Page i8g. — Heie begins the third division of our book, "Colonial Life," from 1631-1760. A long period, but full of events interesting to every one who cares to trace the steps of our political de- velopment. Note 21. - - -Page ibq. - ■ - Capt. Smith and the Compass. - - ■ It shows the simplicity of the Indians and the in^enioiis manner in which Smith' saved his life by exciting- their cu- riosity. They could not understand why the needle moved. Note 22.---/'«^t' 171. ---i6i^---John Rolfe, who married Pocahontas, was the first successful cultivator of tobacco. It created the first excitement in that long- list in subsequent years over cotton, sugar, corn, silk, etc. Note 23. ---On page 176, in the book there is a curious account of young women being sold as wives to the colo- nists of Jamestown, in 1619. Ninety young women suitable for wives were sent over to the colony, where they were bought by the planters, at 100 tt)s of tobacco each. The price afterward went up to 150 Bis apiece. But the English were not the only ones who wholesaled wives in this way. From 1667 to 1673, a period of six years only, 1,000 young women were sent out to the Canadian settlers from France. (See pLio-e 23S.) Note t^.-- Book Page i77.--In 1620, the same year the Pil- grims landed, slaves were introduced into Jamestown by a Dutch Captain. 19 Page ig8. — The iir!>t example in history of a written constitution framed bj the people, was adopted by the Connecticut Colony in 1639. Paoc 207. — An account of the first steps taken in the founding of our free school system, which lias done more than anything else to mould our national character. Page 212. — The modern or long scythe, such as is now used by farmers, was first invented in this country by Joseph Jenks. Previously the farm- ers h«id used the short English scythe such as is now used for cutting brush. Mr. Jenks was the first American inventor, having invented the fire- engine the year before this. The city of Paris had no fire-engine until 50 years later. Page 21'j. — Here is gi^Ji^en the closing part of a very full and interesting account of the last Quaker executions. {See note jo.) Page 222. — Biographies of the great French Explorers, La Salle and Marquette. Note 25. - --Page \So. - - - Courtship of MUes Staudis/i, pag-e 153, which has since been made famous by the poet Long- fellow. Sometimes read this naragraph \vhen vou- think it will be of interest. Note 26.---/*<74r/«;-<:/?. ---When Washington was in a critical position, the American army on one side of the creek and the British on the otiier, he kept his pickets busy building fires and raising breastworks during the night, and silently mustering his army, marched away, leaving the British pickets, who, you see, are en- tirely easy and unsuspicious, to watch the fires which were kept up by a few of Washington's soldiers. Note 39.---Prt;^.— Fulton's triumph, Aug. 7, 1807. {See note 42). Note 40. --Prto"^ J9l--The first Spanish Merinos were im- ported in 1793, b}' William Foster, of Boston, who gave them to a friend of his, who killed and ate them. The same kind of sheep were afterward boug-ht by the same man at one thousand dollars per head. Note \i.---Pa^e 402. ---Hail ColumHa.---T\\.i. National Ode was written in 1798 by Joseph Hopkinson. Note d^z.--- Book Page 423. — The Clermont was the six- teenth steamboat in order of construction, but the first to be used permanently. On the da^^of the trial crowds collected ready to swear should the result be failure. But at the Ap- pointed hour after a trifling' delay the boat moved up the river against wind and tide, and steam navigation, which John Fitch and others had done so much to make possible, was an accomplished fact. 26 Page 4JJ. — The origin of the term *' Uncle Sam" was in 171 2. Read the paragraph. Page 4J4. — Anthracite coal was first sold in Philadelphia, and the man who sold it was arrest- ed for selling stones. Page 4^0. — First Steam Voyage across the Atl-antic was made in 1819 by an American ves- sel. The same year, Jethro Wood invented his famous plow, from which all modern plows have been made. Page 4^1. — Many persons reading in the news- papers allusions to the Missouri Compromise, do not understand what it means — a concise and clear account is here given. Page 451. — The Monroe Doctrine is now re- peatedly called to public attention in connection with the Panama scheme. Just what the doctrine is, is here given. Part V. — Political Development. — You notice how systematically this work is divided. The English yoke has been successfully cast off and independence is now asserted. Our attention naturally turns to the development of our polit- ical life. Note 43.-- -/*a.o'&/'rt^ioi'£.ic^.-- -Page 568.- --Cypress Grove in Mexico. This full-page engTavin£f gives an idea of these wonderful trees; the shade is so dense as to present the appearanae of even- ing at mid-day. Note 49.- - -Book Page j8o. - - - Colorado Potato Btig com- menced its great march in 1859; it sccomplished its tour in 1S75, having crossed half the continent in 15 years. 31 Page j88. — Nineteenth Presidential Cam- paign. — This is one of the most exciting Presi- dential Campaigns in the history of the country. All the candidates are given, with the Electoral and Poptxlar vote for each. This book is very valuable on account of the political information it contains. All the presidential campaigns are given, from Washington to Garfield inclusive, in the same manner that this one is. The famous message of President Buchanan was delivered Dec. 3d, this year, causing intense excitement. South Carolina was the first State to secede. Pagejg2. — All the first acts of the war are laid down, with the organizing of the Confederate States of America, An excellent portrait of Jefferson Davis. Page ^q^. — An account of Lincoln's Inaugura- tion, March 4. The evacuation of Fort Sumter, April 18, is given. Note 50. ---/*« c»-^ j in 17^^, invented the open iron fire-place called the Franklin Stove. This, in its improved form, is in use to-day, and was among the first steps in the long line of useful inventions which American ingenuity has wrought out. Page 28g — Part IV. Revolutionary struggles giving the causes which led to the Revolution, our first resistance to British oppression, and the successful result of our conflict with the mother country. Page 364. — Robert Fulton has been given all the credit for the invention of the steamboat, but John Fitch made the first practical boat in 1787, which ran at a speed of eight miles an hv./ur on 6i the Delaware River for some time. James Rum- sej also exhibited a steamboat in this same year. Undoubtedly Fulton saw these boats and gained his ideas from them, and made the first successful steamboat in 1807 Page 402. — The superstition and ignorance of the people less than 100 years ago is well illus- trated by Charles Newbold's invention of the cast iron plow. Before this wooden plows had alone been used, and a report immediately sprang up that the cast iron plow "poisoned the soil, and promoted the growth of rocks." This is a good ■paragraph to read Page 4JJ. — The origin of the term " Uncle Sam " was in 1712. Read the paragraph. Page 4J4. — Anthracite coal was first sold in Philadelphia, and the man who sold it was arrest- ed for selling stones. Page 4^0. — First Steam Voyage across the Atlantic was made in iS 19 by an American ves- sel. The same year Jethro Wood invented his famous plow, from which all modern plows have been made. Page 4^1. — Many persons reading in the news- papers allusions to the Missouri Compromise, do notunderstand what it means — a concise and clear account is here given. Page ^57.— The Monfoe Doctrine is now re. peatedly called -to public attention in connection 63 with the Panama scheme. Just what the doctrine is, is here given. Part V. — Political Development. — You notice how systematically this work is divided. The English yoke has been successfully cast off and independence is now asserted. Our attention naturally turns to the development of our polit- ical life. Page 47o.~The Alleged Abduction of Mor- gan by the Masons in 1826, created the great anti- Mason excitement. There is no book extant ex- cept this which relates the particulars, tells who abducted him, or what became of him. The author has given Thurlow Weed's account of the aftair, who served upon the committee of investi- gation at the time, and who ascertained the facts many years afterward. The account is given in full, and is one of the most interesting things in the book. Page ^2^. — Petroleum was first discovered this year in boring for salt. The first oil well was bored by Col. Drake, and created the great excitement known as the oil fever. Page^ji. — The California Gold fever began in 1848, by the discovery of gold by Marshall. Page jjj. — Here is the origin of spirit rappings by the Fox girls in Wayne Co., New York. Page ^jg. — Portrait and biography of John C. Calhoun, the great advocate of States rights* 63 Page ^46. — An accurate portrait of Henry Clay, and a sketch of his life. Part VI. — National crises containing a care- fully written account of the late civil war and all its attendant evils. Steel Plate. — Now here is one of the finest steel plates of Abraham Lincoln ever printed. The likeness is accurate, being taken from the line portrait by Brady, and every line in the engraving is sharp and clear. Old acquaintances say it is the most natural and life-like picture they ever saw Page ^88. — Nineteenth Presidential Cam- paign. This is one of the most exciting Presi- dential Campaigns in the, history of the country. All the candidates are given, with the Electoral and Popular vote for each. This book is very valuable on account of the political information it contains. All the presidential campaigns are given, from Washington to Garfield inclusive, in the same manner that this one is. The famous message of President Buchanan was delivered Dec. 3d, this year, causing intense excitement. South Carolina was the first state to secede. Page 617. — The hotly contested naval battle be- tween the Merrimac and Monitor is fully given. And here is a very fine steel engraving of the scene. Page 622. — Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburgh Landing. These battles, you see, are not merely 64 sketches, but are given in a full and complete manner. Page 624. — Capture of New Orleans very clearly illustrated by this fine steel plate. You see that under the engraving is noted the position of the principal forts and ships. Page 6^7. — Great Battle of Gettysburg is graphically described and handsomely illustrated by this elegant steel plate. Notice how sharp it is, how plainly the expressions of the faces show. This fine steel engraving graphically pictures the bombardment of Island No. 10, and shows the position of the gunboats and the mortars. Page 6g6. — The Complete Biography of Lincoln, copious extracts from his debates with Douglas. Here we come to the last division of the book, Part VII. Our Present Development embracing the period from the dawn of peace in 1869, to July 18, 1882. Page j^o. — Black Friday, one of the most no- table financial panics which ever occurred in this country, is described in a graphic manner, and the means used by Gould and Fisk to manipulate the market, fully explained. Page y88. — The panic of '73, which began with ^he failure of Jay Cooke & Co., and brought on the great tramp nuisance. Page gi2. — The author here gives in his pleas- ing and graphic style the most interesting and ac- curate history of Garfield's short but eventful ad- 65 ministration from his inauguration, March 4, 1881, to his assassination and death on September 19, the same year. And here is the finest steel portrait of President Garfield ever engraved. Notice how clear it is, and how accurate the likeness. Page gsd. — The assassination of Garfield, which sent a thrill of horror over the civilized world, creating the greatest suspense and excitement ever known to the Ainerican people. A great number of distinguished men have died this year. This is the only book in existence which gives in full the biographies of all these great men. Pages (pj8-g4j. — You see these are not short sketches, but full and lengthy accounts. When- ever an event is of any importance it is always narrated at length, vis. : The battles of the great civil war, biographies of Washington and Lin- coln, etc. Page g^^. — Here is a complete biography of James A. Garfield. The author has shown his ap- preciation of the character of our martyred presi- dent in this beautifully written article. This ranks as the finest life of Garfield ever written. Page 1008. — The death and biography of Henry W. Longfellow, America's greatest poet, with ex- tracts from his finest and most characteristic poems, with a careful analysis of some of them by the author, 66 Page J014. — Biography of the distinguished American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Page lojg. — The execution of Guiteau. Page 1020. — Closing with the account of the great Jewish immigration, caused by the persecu- tion of the Jews in Russia, July 17, 1882. This is the only work on American history giv- ing all the events of importance since the great civil war. No other work on American history comes down later than 1876 So you see the completeness of the work, the excellence of its plan, and the fullness of the in- formation it furnishes. The work is made of still greater value by the extensive alphabetical and analytical index of nearly 50 pages, which it con- tains ; usually when a book contains an index of from ten to twenty pages it is considered to have a very large index, and it is very rare for a work to contain thirty pages, but this work requires this extensive index of 50 pages on account of the vast number and variety of facts which it em- braces. You can instantly refer to any fact or event in the historv of the countrv bv means of this index, for instance: — We therefore have in this volume a complete record of every event in the histor_y of our country since its discovery, four hundred years ago. We bind the work in four different styles, at the same price as the American Cyclopedia and the ^7 Encyclopedia Brittanica — in Muslin, $5.00; Li- brary', $600; H'f Mo., $7.50, and Full Mor. $9.00. I will show you the styles of binding people are buj'ing generally. You notice that most of my orders are for the Morocco and the Library bind- ings. Either of them will last a lifetime, and all of them are very handsome. I will be very much pleased to furnish you a copy of ihe work when T deliver my list here. Please give me your name right here, and I will carry out the residence, style, and date of deliv- ery. See General Instruction book How to take an order, article LXIII^ and Hints about bind- ing, article LXIV. CONCLUSION. When you meet ordinary objections, which will come in all kinds of shapes, remember that there was never an objection made that a good agent could not answer. You must expect ob- jections ; many of them are simply to put you off, and you either do not hear them, and keep right on with your description, or make a pleasant answer. Make Canvassing for "America" your ex- clusive business if you wish to succeed with it; you cannot mix it up with other business and meet with success; you must throw your whole ENERGY into it. 68 Other Books. —When you get into a locality and find the people have bought "Our First Cen- tury," Ridpath's History of the United States, or any other book on American History, do not let it deter you from your canvass for a moment. Remember, the more books a man has bonght on American History, the more likely he is to be interested in and more ready to buy a complete work on the subject. In canvassing it is not wise to run down any book a person has bought, but say; O//, yes; that is a good i.vork as far as it goes. If he has bought "Our First Century," and thinks he has enough on the subject, say : Oiir First Century contains hut one hundred of the thousands of impor- tant events tfiat have occurred in tliis country^ and as (I complete ivork^ it has but little value. America is a vast country; it embraces a good many distinct nationalities^ and its history covers a period of nearly 400 years. The United States alone has an im- mense history y and this book covers it all; gives all the civil and military history., wJiile Our First Cen- tury covers but a small portion of it ivith its 100 events., and has uo biographies, ivhereas, ^'' America''* has the biography of every eminetit man., and gives the most complete account of the Mound Builders and American Indians publislied in any History of the coufitry. (On these subjects Our First Centvjry has noth- ing. "America" is complete on the early Die- 69 coveries and Voyages, and the old Colonial His- tory. It contains a complete account of the wonderful conquests of Mexico and Peru, of which Our First Century has nothing. "America" is complete in its Civil, Military and Political His- tory. On these subjects Our First Century con- tains merely sketches. The great Civil War is thoroughly taken up in our book, and every battle is described. A reference book on the history of any country, to be of any value, must be a com- plete work of itself, and this "America" is. A great many of my subscribers have Our First Century, but have taken this, and say they would not be without it.) When you find your territory well supplied with Ridpath's History of the United States, pay no attention to it, or any other history of the United States. Say (Well, Ridpath's is a very good short History of the United States, but ours gives not only the History of the United States, but of Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America.) Show the great scope of our work, and its greater value as a reference work, as it is arranged in chronological paragraphs, so that any paragraph may be instantly found, and the fact that is wanted, read, without connection with other matter. Show that we take up thou- sands of things that Ridpath does not touch upon at all ; that he has no biographies and none of the interesting sketches which our book has; that the 70 history of the last four years, which is contained in our book, is very valuable, and Ridpath has none of it. Let no other book on American His- tory stop you at all. Learn to overcome opposi- tion. When you find a person who has an Encyclo- pedia, see note 2^ no matter whether it is Brittani- ca, American, or any of the smaller Encyclo- pedias, and uses that for a plea, why he does not want "America," you can say that our book is the only complete work on American History and biography published, and contains all the recent information in regard to American His- tory. A general Encyclopedia contains but a small amount of American History ; as they cover all general information, including the sciences and description and history of the countries of the world, they have but little space to devote to American history. If you will take your Encyclo- pedia and compare the amount of information on American history and biography, you will find the}' have devoted but a few pages to the subject, while we have a large volume of 1,069 pages; be- sides there are a great many interesting events wiiich Encyclopedias do not treat at all, and can bi found only in this book, viz-: Anti-Masonry excitement, Black Friday, Credit Mobillier at'- fairs, Lincoln's Gettysburg speech, and all the events which ha^ e occurred in the last ten years, 71 including the biographies of all of the eminent men. These are not all to be found in any Ency- clopedia, or any other book published. I just called on Mr. ( ), and he took a half morocco copy; you know he has two Encyclopedias, but he said he wanted this book, not only for his own use, but for his family, as it would be of great value to them. The more books a man has bought^ or the more books thai have been put into any local- ity^ the better chance of success for an energetic {igent. It shows the people are a reading poople^ hnd are disposed to buy books^ and xvhere one agent has done xvell, another can. W13 3 ^ "^ ^.r '^^ ^^^ « * o. >°-n ■5' >^ 1^ ♦ _irS:^Hv .•»• ^ *^/y^^'