The History of George Desmond: Founded on Facts which Occurred in the East Indies and now Published as a Useful Caution to Young Men Going Out to that Country.

SHERWOOD, MRS M. (MARY) M. (MARTHA)

Edité par Wellington, Salop., 1821

A propos de cet article

Black & white engraved frontispiece with tissue-guard. Full nineteenth century morocco stamped in blind, spine lettered in gilt with raised bands, head and tail bands and a silk tie marker, all edges gilt. (iv) +290pp. 18.7 x 11.2cm. This is a handsome binding, an exceptional copy in terrific condition. Exhibition quality. Mary Martha Sherwood (née Butt, 1775-1851) was one of the most prolific children's writers of the Romantic era. She produced well over 300 tales, stories, novels, tracts, and pamphlets as well as a lengthy autobiography,' The Life of Mrs. Sherwood.' which was later edited by her daughter. Although her books were initially intended only for the children of the military encampments in India, the British public also received them enthusiastically. She wrote The History of George Desmond (1821) to warn young men of the dangers of emigrating to India. This is one of Mrs Sherwood's scarcest novels closely based on her own experiences in India. It was never reprinted. The lengthy sub-title is somewhat misleading as the message of the book is more of warning to the young women that the men they go out to marry, may have contracted liaisons with native Indian girls. As Naomi Royde Smith points out, 'it is interesting as an eyewitness account of the effects of Eastern eroticism on Western sensibility.' (The State of Mind of Mrs Sherwood' 1946). Perhaps the most gripping of her narratives, there are fine descriptions of high life in Calcutta in the early nineteenth century. Later, the hero, an employee of the East India Company is sent to a station up country where he witnesses an erotic display by nautch dancing girls, one of whom becomes his mistress. This scene was described in Sherwood's diary when she would sit on hot nights, listening to the music of the dancers. Sherwood's career exemplifies the importance of the evangelical movement and how this vital religion influenced generic choice as well as publication venues. Furthermore, Sherwood's writings became a staple of Sunday reading throughout the nineteenth century and thus helped shape Victorian attitudes. Her writings on India reveal her strong sense of European, if not specifically British, superiority; India therefore appears in her works as a morally corrupt land in need of reformation. According to Cutt, Sherwood's depictions of India were among the few available to young British readers; such children "acquired a strong conviction of the rightness of missions, which, while it inculcated sincere concern for, and a genuine kindness towards an alien people for whom Britain was responsible, quite destroyed any latent respect for Indian tradition. D. Schierenbeck: Encylcopedia of Romantic Literature. Many of her books were bestsellers and she has been described as "one of the most significant authors of children's literature of the nineteenth century" Dawson. Her depictions of domesticity and Britain's relationship with India may have played a part in shaping the opinions of many young British readers.

N° de réf. du vendeur 170946

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: The History of George Desmond: Founded on Facts which Occurred in the East Indies and now Published as a Useful Caution to Young Men Going Out to that Country.
• Éditeur: Wellington, Salop.
• Date de parution: 1821
• Reliure: Couverture rigide
• Édition: 1st Edition.
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • Literature & Fiction - India