tacks is mineral salts, to which all insects have an aversion. The salt called in the old system of chemistry, arcanum duplicatum, alum and vitriol, are proper for this purpose; a small quantity of which should be mixed with the paste used by book-binders. To prevent the depredations of the book-worm, M. Prediger advises book-binders to make their paste of starch instead of flour. He likewise directs a little pulverized alum to be strewed between the book and its cover, and also upon the shelves of the library.
BOOK-KEEPING, is the art of recording mercantile transactions in a systematic manner.
A merchant's books should contain every particular which relates to his affairs; and exhibit the state of his business, the connection of the different parts, with the amount and success of the whole. Accordingly, they should be so full and regular, as to afford information in every point for which they may be consulted.
Book-keeping comprehends the following heads: the debts owing to a merchant, and those due by him to others; the goods which belonged to him, with the quantity and value sold, and those which remain in his possession; also the amount of his stock when the books were opened, together with his profits and losses, and the extent of his property at present.
The Italian method of book-keeping by double-entry, is founded on the most universal principles, and is therefore the best in extensive and complicated mercantile transactions. Indeed the accountant who thoroughly understands it, can with facility either adopt or invent any other form better suited to any particular business.
According to the Italian method, three principal books, namely, the waste-book, journal, and ledger, are used. The waste-book, or day-book, begins with an inventory of the owner's goods, a list of debts due to him, and of the debts he owes to others; and it is continued with a clear statement of the money received or paid, and the goods bought or sold by him, &c. The accountant's first care should be, to have nothing defective; and his second, to insert nothing superfluous in the waste-book.
The journal is a concise record of transactions compiled from the waste-book, in the same order as they stand there, but expressed in a technical style. The whole art of writing the journal depends upon the proper choice of the Drs. and Crs. Every thing received, or person accountable to us, is Dr.; and every thing delivered, or person to whom we are accountable, is Cr. On these two comprehensive rules, and their various modifications, depends the regularity of accounts. As for the more particular rules, they will readily be suggested by the judgment of the accountant.
From the journal, the different transactions are posted in the ledger. Each account is distinguished by a proper title, and articles of the same kind received and delivered, are entered on opposite sides of the same folio. For instance, money received is entered on the one side, and money paid on the other; or goods bought on the one side, and goods sold on the other. The left hand page is
