I am greatly enjoying An Encyclopedia of Domestic Economy by Thomas Webster, published in 1845 in New York. I hope you are enjoying the pieces I am sharing.
One note – Being written about 15 years prior, these pieces would not have been new in 1860 and in some areas could be seen as out-of-date.
The book has several dressing tables and wash stands, some of which I really like.
This portable water-closet is one I thought especially worth sharing:
“Portable water-closets are useful where fixed ones cannot be had, and in case of sickness; as they may be placed in a dressing-room, or even a bedroom. If ill constructed, they are a nuisance; butt we can recommend the following , patented by Wiss, near Charing Cross, London. Fig 454, a, a, is the cistern for water, surrounding the three sides of a box which holds the pan, b; the cistern is filled by lifting up a small lid, c, and pulling the handle of an engine, by which the water is forced into the pan through the washer. This water, by its weight, opens the hinged valve at the bottom of the pan, and carries the contents into a pail, e, placed beneath. This pail has a cover with a projection that dips into a groove containing a little water, that effectually prevents any effluvia from coming out. The pail can be removed to empty it. This apparatus many be made in a variety of forms; as a seat, an arm-chair, a commode, settee, &c. The same moveable box, with the cistern and pan, may be used without a pail, and be more complete, where there is the convenience of connecting it with a pipe to go into a drain or cesspool. In this case there is a curved tube, f, to be joined to the pipe, which, being always full of water up to the dotted line, stops any smell from ascending.











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