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First Edition. Hard cover, 12mo, in original green cloth, with a double-ruled blind-stamped border, corner floral design to both boards, with the title blocked to the spine in gold, and publisher's monogram at foot. Glazed brown endpapers, with a label to the outer top corner for a Maine "fancy goods" store. vi, 276pp. CONDITION: Very Good. Some soiling to rear board, light rubbing at joints, mild crimping head and tail of spine. Hinges in order with one pinhead size hole. Top edge a bit dusty. Title gilding a bit dull. Inside, clean, unwritten in and mildly toned. Binding slightly cocked.**These twelve addresses given by the Rev. William Henry Harrison Murray were delivered at the height of his influence as a speaker in Boston, dating from the time he was still a Congregational minister across the street at the Park Street Church. His foreward mentions the works were prepared " while the writer was under the pressure of continual duties, --in weariness often, and mid many distractions" [iii]. He had, just the year before in 1869, released the first edition of his wildly popular call for vacations and the good of the outdoor life for the soul, with his title: "Adventures in the Wilderness; or Camp-Life in the Adirondacks," a guide book resulting in stampedes of ill-prepared camping newbies to the Adirondacks of northern New York. Balancing this with serving the ever-increasing crowds arriving to hear his charismatic sermons at the Park Street Church, as well as tending to his horse breeding interests at the family farm in Guilford, Conn., meant a lot on the plate of the then-30 yr. old minister.** Some of the thought-provoking subjects of this book: how changes to the urban environs, through trade and other economic developments, have influenced the outlook of its citizens. He also embraces a social science perspective for his final sermon of this series, No. XII, entitled "The Moral Condition of Boston and How to Improve It." His progressive views on social issues would eventually lead to tensions within his congregation.[A "second series" was published in 1873, addressing among other topics, the Great Fire of 1870 in Boston.] OCLC 6257307. Sabin Americana, under listing 51549, Vol. XXII, p. 500. Scarce Americana.
Ref: ADIR 9361
$250.00