Young Lady's School Composition book of 111 pages of Handwritten Poems and Essays, 1875

Women Education, 19th c.

Handwritten Journal

[Women Education] [Handwritten] Composition book of young lady filled with handwritten poems, essays, and stories. 111 handwritten pages. Signed "Miss L. Sargeson" and dated “9-6-75” on first page. Entries date to 1875. Original boards. 9 x 7.5 in. Decorative green and purple flower design on covers, page edges gilt. Includes several verses from Shakespeare, including a few lines from A Midsummer’s Night Dream: “Night’s swift dragons cut the clouds full fast, And yonder shines Aurora’s harbinger, At whose approach, ghosts, wandering here and there, Troop home to churchyards.” Includes an excerpt about “The Moon” from John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost: “Rising in clouded majesty, at length, Apparent queen unveiled her peerless light, And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw.” Notably, women writers are also represented in the composition book. She includes “Continuance of Moral Education” by Harriet Martineau, the British social theorist who is often cited as the first female sociologist. Also includes material originally written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Sir Walter Scott, and Scottish writer John Wilson (pen name Christopher North). 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.  This composition book is an excellent example of a young lady’s schoolwork in the mid-19th century. Spine is damaged with losses. 4 pages have stray marks or scribbles in margins from a later hand in blue ink, not affecting text. Good to very good condition.

Item #17021

Price: $475.00