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London, duodecimo; Vol. I: xvi, 341, [1] p.; Vol. II: [viii], 340 p. ***CONTENT: William Cowper (1731-1800) was one of the most widely read English poets of his day. With sympathy and simplicity of language, he wrote about the joys, trials and tribulations of rural folk and the pleasures of the countryside. His subject matter not only included education, simple friendships, romance, gardens, a morning walk, truth, heroism, etc., but he also considered more serious subjects: mortality, historical events, human frailty, "the Negroes' complaint", "pity for the Africans" (a pointed criticism of slavery), the quest for peace, and much more. ***CONDITION: These volumes are complete and VG, and bound in contemporary full brown tree calf, with gilt decoration and gilt-lettered, black leather title labels on the backstrips. The covers are well preserved, but the backstrips are mildly worn at the ends. One spine label is chipped, but the title lettering on both volumes is complete and bold. Joints and hinges solid, bindings firm. The text pages are typically fresh, clean, crisp and bright, with only a few localized spots of browning. ***PROVENANCE: These volumes are from the personal library of Benjamin Silliman, Sr. The elder Silliman (1779-1864), a pioneering and highly influential early American educator and scientist, was also a venerable professor of chemistry and geology at Yale College, and founder of the American Journal of Science. The professor has signed these volumes in three places. "B. Silliman's" is inked on both title pages, and he has penciled "Benjamin Silliman" on the final text page of volume one. Signed volumes from Silliman's library are exceedingly uncommon; these are sound, attractive copies with an important association. International shipping will be extra for these volumes, but only at my cost. Seller Inventory # OG5479
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