New England 1831 Young Lady Friendship album

[Handwritten Album], Women's Education

Handwritten Journal

Friendship album with handwritten poems and letters in many hands to a young woman commemorating their time as schoolmates, c. 1831. Most entries are from 1830s with locations from all over New England and the north east: Medford, Windham, Dunstable, Derry, and Nashua. 8.5 x 5.25 in. Gilt quarter morocco with marbled boards. Green marbled end papers. 76 pages. 36 entries handwritten from 1831-1899. Friendship albums became popular in America at this time, especially among young women at female academies, as the blossoming culture of sentimalism made its mark on personal relationships; young ladies and male friends, alike, would sign the albums to remember time spent together.

Album belonging to Elizabeth N. Patterson a young lady student with entries from several friends, including this letter titled “To a School Mate”: “How swiftly rolls the wheels of time. Four years have now elapsed since we parted from the school where we were taught from our childhood up; and I can say from my heart that they were as happy days as I have since experienced. Twenty one years have just closed upon me, an dI take the opportunity as this--Album has been presented to me, to record my grateful acknowledgements on its pages, for the Blessing of health and the enjoyments of Parents to guide and direct me. The latter you have for past years been deprived. But may wisdom guide you and keep your path unobstructed through a long and happy life. If the care of family should be your lot, you will recollect that the good government thereof leads to the comfort of communities and the welfare of states. Of every domestic circle woman is the centre. Hoe that scene of purest, dearest joy, home is the empire of woman. There she plans, directs, and performs, the acknowledged source of dignity and felicity. Where female virtue is most pure, female sense most improved, female deportment most correct, there is most propriety of social manners. The early years of childhood, the most precious years of life and opening seasons are confined to woman’s superintendence; she may therefore be presumed to lay the foundation of all the virtue and all the wisdom that enrich the [..]. The wisdom of action is better than the wisdom of words; for in the moral sin the vegetable kingdom one may plant and another may water; but it is the light and warmth of living energy, which like the brighter ray of heaven can alone give the increase.”

Some call inspiration upon the writer such as the handwritten introduction to the album on the first page. “The sportive sulphs that couple the air unseen on wings that twiling weaves, Around the opening rose repair and breath sweet incense on its leaves. With Sparkling cups of bubbles make, They catch the ruddy beams of day, And steal the rainbows sweetest shade, their blushing favorite to array. They gather gems with sunbeams bright, from floating cloud and falling showers, They rob auroras locks of light, To grace their own fair queen of flowers. Then take my flower and let its leaves Beside thy heart be cherished near, While that friendly heart received, the cordial wishes of friendship dear.”

To Friend Elizabeth: “May all your years be spent in bliss, and all your plans succeed, Be but as happy as I wish and you’ll be best indeed. While journeying through this vale of tears, May peace and plenty crown your years, Long may you live supremely blest, Then die and be a Saviour's guest.” Some reacted to the beautiful words written by peers, in their own entries: “Now in my chamber by the dim light of a lamp, I have reviewed those pages of thine Album whereunto so goodly a number of thy friends have let their hand a seal. There I beld what should always be seen in an Album, wit, eloquence, learning and poetry”. In very good condition.

Item #16719

Price: $380.00