MANUSCRIPT: A Slight Glance at the Ancient and Sublime Science of Astronomy.
Early 19th Century Girls’ Astronomy Manuscript
[Education]. Wyman, Martha. A Slight Glance at the Ancient and Sublime Science of Astronomy. Boston: (prepared for Mills’ and Johnston’s Academy), 1823.
8vo.; title page soiled; 72 hand numbered manuscript leaves; followed by ca. 40-50 blanks; bound in three quarter-calf with marbled boards and endpapers.
A stunning hand-illustrated manuscript thesis “executed by Martha F. Wyman at Miss Mills’ & Miss Johnston’s Academy / Boston . AD 1823” (final leaf). With charts, graphs, illustrations, and complementary texts (for example hymns, poems, and quotations) throughout the scientific history – most are in black ink but some are meticulously shaded in black and gray water color and some in color water color. The sections are not broken into numbered chapters but are headed in large elaborate calligraphic titles; a few examples: “Of Eclipses Solar and Lunar”; “Positions of the Sphere”; “Of Leap year and the alteration of the Style.”
Mills’ and Johnston’s school was founded outside of Boston in 1797 by novelist, actress, and educator Susanna Rowson (ca. 1762 – 1824). Originally the Young Ladies’ Academy (or simply Mrs. Rowson’s Academy, at various times), the school was known for its progressive views on education and challenging, worldly curricula. Despite her great success as a teacher, Rowson herself is perhaps best-known as the author of Charlotte, a Tale of Truth (now generally known as Charlotte Temple), the novel credited as being America’s first best-seller. Published in 1791, it has yet to go out of print.
In 1822, Rowson turned her academy over to Fanny Mills, her adopted daughter, and Susan Johnston, her niece. It closed two years later, after over 25 years.
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