Dream life; a fable of the seasons [Introductory. -- Dreams of boyhood. -- Dreams of youth. -- Dreams of manhood. -- Dreams of age.]

New York, Charles Scribner, [New York: Stereotyped by C.W. Benedict: 201 William St.], 1851, 1851. Book. Fine. Hardcover. 1st edition, 1st printing, 1st state with sterotyper's colophon on copyright page, 5 flat dots before "56" on page vi, broken "World" on page vii ; frontispiece ; 1 preliminary leaf, vii, [11]-286 pages frontispiece 20 cm ; textured blind-stamped green cloth with gold decorations and designs ; no dustjacket ; LC: PS2404; Dewey: 818 ; Ik. Marvel was the pseudonym of Donald Grant Mitchell ; BAL,; 13931; Wright, L.H. Amer. fiction, 1851-1875,; 1721 ; OCLC: 947726521 ; a beautiful copy ; copy of N. B. Heath, historian of Company E, 355th infantry, AEF, 1918 ; Contents: With My Aunt Tabithty - With My Reader - DREAMS OF BOYHOOD - Spring - Rain In The Garret - School Dreams - Boy Sentiment - A Friend Made & Friend Lost - Boy Religion - A New England Squire - The Country Church - A Home Scene - DREAMS OF YOUTH - Summer - Cloister Life - First Ambition - College Romance - First Look At The World - A Broken Home - Family Confidence - A Good Wife - A Broken Hope - DREAMS OF MANHOOD - Autumn - Pride Of Manliness - Man Of The World - Manly Hope - Manly Love - Cheer & Children - Dream Of Darkness - Peace - DREAMS OF AGE - Winter - What Is Gone - What Is Left - Grief And Joy Of Age - The End Of Dream ; "TWELVE years ago, this autumn, when I had finished the concluding chapters of this little book, I wrote a letter of Dedication to Washington Irving, and forwarding it by mail to Sunnyside, begged his permission to print it. I think I shall gratify a rational curiosity of my readers (however much they may condemn my vanity) if I give his reply in full: 'Mr Dear Sir, Though I have a great disinclination in "general to be the object of literary oblations and "compliments, yet in the present instance, I have "enjoyed your writings with such peculiar relish, "and been so drawn toward the author by the *" qualities of head and heart evinced in them, that I confess I feel gratified by a dedication, over flattering as I may deem it, which may serve :it's an outward sign that we are cordially linked together in sympathies and friendship...Ever, my dear Sir, Yours, very truly, Washington Irving.'SUNNTSIDE, NOV. 1851. I had been personally presented to Mr. Irving for the first time, only a year before, under the introduction of my good friend, Mr. Clark (the veteran Editor of the old Knickerbocker in its palmy days). Thereafter I had met him from time to time, and had paid a charming visit to his delightful home of Sunnyside. But it was after the date of the publication of this book, and during the summer of 1852, that I saw Mr. Irving more familiarly, and came to appreciate more fully that charming bonhomie, and geniality in his character, which we all recognize so constantly in his writings. And if I set down here a few recollectious of that pleasant intercourse, they will, I am sure, more than make good the place of the old letter of Dedication, and will serve to keep alive the association 1 wish to cherish, between my little book, and the name of the distinguished author who so kindly showed me his favor... I saw Mr. Irving afterward repeatedly in New York, and passed two delightful days at Sunnyside. I can never forget a drive with him upon a crisp autumn mornmg through Sleepy Hollow, and all the notable localities of his neighborhood, in the course of which he kindly called my attention in the most unaffected and incidental way to those which had been specially illustrated by his pen; and with a rare humor recounted to me some of his boyish adventures among the old Dutch farmers of this region. Most of all, it is impossible for me to forget the rare kindliness of his manner, his friendly suggestions, and the beaming expression of his eye. I met it last, at the little stile, from which I strolled away to the station at Deamian; and when I saw the kind face again, it was in the coffin, at the little church, where he attended service." ; a near FINE copy, with a very few marks, slight foxing, scarce important 19th century American popular fiction.