This unusual and fictitious account of two young travelers exploring North America was written by Priscilla Wakefield. Regarding her decision to write the book, the author notes that "the variety of natural productions in North America, both animal and vegetable, and the connexion it formerly had with this country, give it a peculiar claim to the notice of British youth." The 420-page volume consists of 45 letters to home written by the two protagonists, Henry Franklin and Arthur Middleton, as they explore the continent. While the background story is contrived, many of the descriptions are based in fact. The preface notes that "the chief sources of her information have been derived from Jefferson, Weld, Rochefoucault, Bartram, Michaux, Carver, MacKenzie and Hearn." Accompanying the letters is a frontispiece map of North America by William Darton. It depicts in red overprinting the supposed path of these two young travelers along the eastern seaboard and then west through the Great Lakes and north to "The Sea seen by MacKenzie in 1789." The map itself is fairly accurate for the time, and is pre-Lewis & Clark with several conjectural rivers crossing the Great Plains. Second edition. Howes describes the volume as "flights of imagination by a lady who never saw this country." Rebound in black quarter calf with tips over blue cloth boards.

References: Howes #W-21.

Condition: B

The folding map has foxing, offsetting, and a short repaired binding tear at right. Text is lightly toned with occasional foxing. Front hinge is starting but still intact. Covers are lightly worn with bumped corners.