A Complete Guide to the English Lakes … to which are added an account of the Flowering Plants, Ferns, and Mosses of the District, and a Complete Directory

Second Hand
Hardback
Published by: John Garnett
2nd edition. Book Condition: Good.

Original green cloth with gilt titles to spine and front board, blind stamping to front and rear boards. Cloth faded to red on spine and at edges of boards. Both hinges gone but holding, if loose. Joints starting at bottom of front board and top of rear board. First blank almost detached but holding. Lightly age-toned throughout. Light foxing to plates. Ownership inscriptions. A small number of neatly written notes, including some neat marginalia to page 118 which comprises a poem taken from the gravestone of Henry Jupp who died in the Scafell tragedy of 1903. Possible 2nd edition: differs slightly from Bicknell but more similarities than later editions. No date: preface dated 1855 and the advert on leaf xvi refers to the exhibition reopening on Monday 28th May, which would be correct for 1855 (A slightly later edition has an advert dated 1857). (iv); iii; (blank); (ii); (iv); (ii); 233; xix (advert) pages. 16 engraved plates + 6 drawings, 2 of which are folding; 4 plates of drawings of hotels in the adverts, fold-out map at rear, coloured geologically by John Ruthben, which has 3 tears affecting the edges and a couple of tiny holes at the corners of the folds, otherwise very good. Overall Good. Photos available on request. Unusually complete with 16 plates and the folding map.

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was one of the most outstanding intellectuals and prolific writers, who made significant contributions to political economy, sociological theory, journalism and several significant social debates of the early and high Victorian era. Martineau received a better formal education than most women of her time, and after the death of her father, she decided to pursue a career of a writer, one of few legitimate occupations open to impoverished middle-class women in Victorian England. Martineau suffered from a number of physical ailments and disabilities, however these did not stop her developing a powerful and profound intellect, and she remained active in the public sphere for over half a century. Being confined to her bed with illness for 5 years during her 30s, she examined frankly her own illnesses and initiated a public debate about illness, cure and the status of invalids in society. In 1844 she settled in Ambleside where, with some advice from Wordsworth, she built The Knoll, her home for the rest of her life and the basis for this wonderful guide to the Lakes.