Orphans of Lissau, The, and other interesting narratives… 2 vols.
[Judaica]. [Bristow, Amelia]. The Orphans of Lissau, and other interesting narratives, immediately connected with Jewish customs, domestic and religious, with explanatory notes. London: Published by T. Gardiner & Son; sold also by the author, 1830.
2 vols., 8vo.; contemporary half calf, spines stamped in gilt; extremities lightly rubbed, otherwise a very nice copy.
First edition of this collection of three novellas. The first story is set in Poland; the others are set in London, and the last of these tells the story of Margaret Warburton, who marries into the Jewish community only to be punished by the death of her only child and husband.
This is one of a series of works of fiction on Jewish themes published by Miss Bristow in the 1820s and 1830s. Bristow (1783-?) was a convert from Judaism living in London whose background informed her evangelical, uncomplimentary, at times virulent anti-semitic depiction of Jews, especially those from Eastern Europe. Especially in her earlier novels, she expressed those prejudicial views traditionally found in the works of earlier writers such as Fanny Burney and Maria Edgeworth.
Scarce: Block, 27; not in Wolff, not in Roth (who lists one other title by Bristow); three copies in NUC.
(#4540)
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