CRITTENDEN COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIC AND Business Manual. DESIGNED FOR USE IN COUNTING-HOUSES, ACADEMIES, AND COMMERCIAL COLLEGES. BY JOHN GROESBECK, CONSULTING ACCOUNTANT, PRINCIPAL OF THE CRITTENDEN PHILADELPHIA COMMERCIAL COLLEGE, AND AUTHOR 118.91.436 GROESBECK'S PRACTICAL BOOK-KEEPING SERIES. IN TWO VOLUMES, VIZ.: 1. SCHOOL EDITION. For Schools and Academies. 2. COLLEGE EDITION. For Commercial Schools and Academies. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. FERGUSON BROS. & CO., A KNOWLEDGE of the calculations required in busi ness, and of the best methods of performing them, is a qualification that should be possessed by every business man. Without it much time and labor are lost, and profitable operations are hindered or not undertaken. Fortunes have been made through skill in calculation, while bankruptcy, in not a few cases, has been caused by the want of it. This skill in calculation, so much needed, can be, and should be, acquired before entering upon the duties of active life. The exactions of business leave little opportunity to remedy deficiencies of preparation, and he who goes into business uneducated must, in most cases, suffer from mental poverty ever after. Multitudes have remained in inferior positions all their lives for want of qualifications which they could have gained in a few weeks, or months at most, under competent instruction. In the following pages the object has been to present only what is of practical value, and enough for any one who understands the elementary rules to obtain all that is required for business purposes. The puzzles and riddles which are found in many arithmetics, are omitted because they are considered no more conducive to mental discipline than exercises on the flying trapeze are to skilful work in the useful arts. Threading the intricate labyrinths of ancient ruins teaches little of modern methods of travel, and chaff is not wanted when substantial supplies are abundant. It is believed that problems such as occur in real life will do more to invigorate and develop the mental powers and to impart ability in actual operations than mere perplexity over imaginary difficulties, to say nothing of increased dexterity from properly directed practice. Adroitness in untying knots is less useful than skill that is required in daily duties. To acquire the readiness, rapidity, and accuracy that are demanded in business affairs, the rules and processes should be so fully mastered that they can be applied to practical matters easily and without hesitation. Bungling and tedious delays must especially be avoided. To this end familiarity with processes is requisite to the minutest detail. Without it, general theory halts and blunders in application. A mechanic will not be tolerated who can only talk about squares and circles, and is unable to do his work in a finished and expeditious manner. Much of the deficiency in reasoning power arises from a deficiency of thoroughness in elements and principles that can easily be understood; and one secret of good thinking is to have a foundation of thorough knowledge. In addition to the rules involved in most calculations, the labor-saving methods employed by experts, and in the best business houses, are here given; so that the students who fully understand them may become, as nearly as possible, the equals of those who have acquired them in the course of a long apprenticeship in the counting-house. The forms, nature, and uses of the large variety of business papers constitute an essential part of what every student of book-keeping and every business man should be familiar with. These forms are here given, with explanations to aid the inexperienced in such things as most frequently occur in business practice. That what is here presented is of a practical character, and adapted to the requirements of those engaged in business pursuits, is shown by the numerous letters of commendation received from leading educators and business men in all parts of the country; and also by the fact that seventy thousand copies of the previous editions have been published—a larger number than has been sold of all other Commercial Arithmetics combined. If "imitation is sincerest flattery," then this work has been sincerely and extensively flattered, for several portions of its contents, taken without credit, have been set forth with much flourish in various publications. The author has been connected with the Crittenden Philadelphia Commercial College for more than twenty-five years; he has also had a varied experience in the countinghouse and in business affairs; and in his office, as consulting accountant, in a large city, has been called upon to adjust |