8vo. xx, [13]-187pp. Original publisher's gilt-tooled green cloth. Lightly rubbed, spine sunned. Inked ownership inscription of Mrs James Smith, Branderburgh House, February 24th, 1881 to FFEP. Leaves lightly browned.

The debut of American historian John Stevens Cabot Abbott (1805-1877), brother of children's author Jacob Abbott, under whose name the volume was seemingly published. Dedicated to 'those mothers in Britain who are anxious to unite wholesome discipline, on Christian principles, with the mental improvement of their children', the educational vade mecum was enormously successful, inspiring Abbott to dedicate the remainder of his life to literary pursuits. In particular, his copious publications on popular history are credited with inspiring a growing historical interest in the American public. Among his most famous works were his History of the Civil War in America (1863-1866), History of Napoleon III Emperor of the French (1868), and The History of Frederick II, Called Frederick the Great (New York, 1871).

Very scarce; unrecorded in COPAC, with OCLC locating a single copy at NYU.