GEMS FOR THE FIRESIDE; or, Choice Miscellaneous Papers, Devoted to Science, Art, History, Biography, and General Literature.
New York: S. G. Mead, 1854. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good / No jacket as issued. Item #000042
8vo., iv, 358 pp., illustrated with 4 hand colored plates, numerous b&w steel engravings, musical score, and portraits. Blue boards, lined and decorated in gilt. a.e.g. Extremities rubbed. Occasional light foxing. A very good copy of this rare edition. ********* Beautifully hand-colored plates of flowers. This anthology contains works by notable authors such as Orville Dewey, one of Wordsworth's American friends. Dewey's essay, "Practical Hints on Reading", advocates reading as a means of improving the lower classes. Harriet Beecher Stowe writes "A Sketch", juxtaposing a rich man, with an ornate, unread bible next to his bed, with a poor woman, with a well read penny edition of the bible. Too poor to buy wood, she and her children huddle together and read the bible, achieving a spiritual warmth. Once again, reading for spiritual improvement and consolation is emphasized.
Price: $275.00