Last Leaves of American History.
Willard, Emma. Last Leaves of American History. Comprising a Separate History of California. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1853.
12mo.; purple cloth elaborately stamped in blind and gilt; spine faded.
Second edition, expanded from 1849 to include the narrative of her travels in California. Willard’s charming preface explaining both her goal in writing this book, as well as its distinction from the first edition, merits quoting in full:
This is an age in which men live in the present, and even in the conjectural future, more than in the past. From the electric rapidity of communication, the news of the world comes wevery day fresh to our firesides; and we have little lesidure for reading more. But since every American, whether for the uses of business or politics, needs the current hisotyr of the United States, brifly attanged to his hand, --this volume of its “Last Leaves” has been prepared.
The account of the Mexican war, herein contained, is taken from the author’s history of “The Republic of America;” but that of California is not in any other work. Of the part which follows, a portion is taken from “The Republic,” and the remainder is prepared expressly for this book.
A presentation copy, inscribed on the first blank: To G[ ] W[ ] with the cordial and respectful regards of The Author.
By 1853, Emma Willard had proved that her landmark Troy Female Academy had staying power. In addition to growing and developing as an educational institution, for years it had been turning a profit. The books Willard wrote not only helped to maintain the school’s reputation, but also aided in the generation of revenue. After Willard handed down the reins of management to her daughter-in-law, Sarah Lucretia Hudson, in 1838, she had more time to devote to travelling, speaking, investigating other educational experiments, and to writing. Last Leaves of American History is one of over twenty volumes “based on her own studies and on the new courses of instruction offered in her school, particularly in geography and history. (She also wrote poems, but with the exception of the well-known ‘ Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep,’ none was memorable.)” (NAW III, 612). Willard’s earlier textbooks include History of the United States, or Republic of America, Universal History, Temple of Time, Chronographies of Ancient and English History, and Historic Guide. For descriptions of copies of some of these volumes, see “Education” in this catalogue.
(#3863)
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