Winter Evenings; or, Tales of Travellers
London: Darton, Harvey, and Darton, 1819-1820. Four twelvemo volumes, measuring 5.25 x 3.5 inches: xii, 219, [1]; [4], 226; [4], 211, [1]; [4], 248. Contemporary red quarter-morocco ruled and lettered in gilt, marbled blue paper boards. Engraved frontispiece in each volume. Inscribed “C.H. Cruttwell / Juvenile Library” on front free endpapers. Light shelfwear, occasional foxing.
Early edition of educational writer Maria Hack’s Winter Evenings, first published in 1818. These dialogues between a mother and her children offer an introduction to world geography through the narratives of famous explorers. In her preface, Hack outlines her educational philosophy: “Let the actions, and enjoyments, and sufferings of men, form the subjects of the contemplation of children. . . . the actors as well as the events must be real. Children must not suppose that a scene is got up for them, to answer some particular purpose: they must feel the sober assurance that they are treated like reasonable beings, and admitted to the knowledge of the truth.” The explorers discussed include John Griffiths, Ali Bey el Abbassi, Vasili Golownin, John McLeod, Thomas Legh, Antonio de Ulloa, George Mackenzie, Constantine Phipps, Edward Chappell, Thomas James, Giuseppe Acerbi, William Bligh, and John Byron. A very good example of an interesting educational experiment.
Price: $500.00