Sir Charles Lyell

A Second Visit to the United States of North America [Two volume set]

New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1849. Very Good. Item #28148

New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1849. First U.S. Edition. Two octavo volumes. 273 & 287 pp. + publisher's 12 pp. catalog dated July 1849. Fourteen in-text black and white illustrations. Original brown cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Boards edgeworn with chipping to crown of vol. I; general fading and spotting; remnants of paper label to rear board of volume I. Bindings sound. Ownership inscriptions to front free endpaper of each volume, with "R.T. Cosby" dated in year of publication. Brief chipping to top edge of text of vol. II, though text unaffected. Still a Very Good copy.

For Lyell's second trip to the United States his travels focused on the South, examining the geology and topography of the region. As much of the text focuses on local and political matters of the time, however, with extensive and detailed observations on all aspects of slavery and its effects on local populations.

This copy with brief marginalia from a previous owner, presumably Cosby. Regarding Charles Sumner, the indignant reader has written, "Notwithstanding his 'non-resistance principles' Mr. Chas Sumner has since been urging his fellow citizens to 'resist the fugitive slave law - even if the land be deluged in blood - and we wade in it up to our knees.' Oh - damnable hypocrite - false treacherous villain!" Senator Sumner was a fierce abolitionist, and the anger seen here was mirrored on the Senate floor in 1856, when Sumner was caned by a pro-slavery Senator following the former's "Crime Against Kansas" speech days prior. An intriguing association capturing the furor and fervor building in the years leading up to the Civil War.

[Sabin 42763].

Price: $350.00