Young Lady's School Composition book of 119 pages of Handwritten Poems, 1873-1874

Women Education, 19th c. Education

Handwritten Journal

[Women Education] [Handwritten] Composition book of young lady filled with handwritten poems and essays. 119 handwritten pages, including a 2-page index at the conclusion. Entries dated 1873-1874. Original boards. Floral decorative pattern in white, blue, and gold on both covers, page edges gilt. 9 x 7.5 in. Signed "Miss L. Sargeson" on first page. Filled with handwritten poems and essays, including work by Edgar Allen Poe, James Montgomery, William Wordsworth, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Browning, Shakespeare, Washington Irving, and Oliver Goldsmith. Also short fiction such as “The Monk,” part of Laurence Sterne’s Sentimental Journey through France and Italy, first published in 1765 and reprinted several times in the 19th century for teaching elocution.  Copying essays, poetry, stories, and compositions was the standard teaching tool throughout the 19th century.  The exercise taught handwriting, spelling, grammar, knowledge of literature and other subjects of the material, and elocution. The handwritten notebook also contains scientific material, including a composition on “The Eye,” investigating the properties of the human eye and eyes of other animals, and animals that have no eyes, such as “the starfishes have are mere sensitive points, dimly conscious of forms.”  Also historical material, including a composition on the Ancient Greek city Thermopile and a letter from Protestant Reformer Martin Luther to his son. This composition book is an excellent example of a young lady’s schoolwork in the mid-19th century. 13 pages have stray marks or scribbles from a later hand in purple, blue, and orange ink; most marks are in margins and do not affect text legibility. Vertical tear to first page at top left edge along binding. Losses and damage to spine. Good to very good condition.

Item #17020

Price: $480.00