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Charles Dickens Notes on America

Charles Dickens. American Notes for General Circulation. London: Chapman and Hall, 1842. Two volumes. Octavo, original maroon ribbed cloth, lettered in gilt on spines, decoratively stamped in blind on covers, in three quarter red morocco chemises lettered in gilt on spines. Spines and covers a trifle faded, tiny tear (closed) in cloth at top of rear hinge of volume II, else fine. With bookplate from The Old Curiosity Shop laid in. First edition, first issue.

Dickens travelled extensively in America and observed its people, society, landscape and government. He was entranced by America's beauty and repelled by the viciousness exhibited in the use of slavery.

"... general character of the American people, and the general character of their social system,... own opinion ... They are by nature, frank, brave, cordial, hospitable, and affectionate. ... an educated American one of the most endearing and most generous of friends. ... These qualities are natural, I implicitly believe, to the whole people. That they are, however, sadly sapped and blighted in their growth among the mass; and that there are influences at work which endanger them still more, ... is a truth that ought to be told ..."

$1,750.00        ID 9261

[Smith II, 3. Eckel pp. 108-109]

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