Second Visit to the United States of North America

1849. LYELL, Charles. A Second Visit to the United States of North America. London: John Murray, 1849. 1st ed. 2 vols. 12mo. xii, 368; xii, 385, [1] pp. In orig. cloth. A bit of soiling to the binding, primarily to the front cover of Vol. 1. A closed tear to the backstrip cloth of Vol. 2 has been glued down by a previous owner. 19th century regional library bookplate on the front pastedowns of both volumes as well as later owner name on the fly leaves, otherwise clean. A very good set that presents very well. Howes L-574. Lyell was a British geologist and author of an important work, Principles of Geology. As Clark points out, in his excellent assessment of this present work, Lyell brings the meticulous nature of a scientist and brings it to bear on all elements of his recorded travels in 1845-1846. And while there are elements of Lyell's descriptions that have a geological bent, this work has a much larger scope. Clark writes, "Lyell's scientific interest took him along the regular routes as well as into the remoter corners seldom seen by other travelers.. Lyell's unbiased, careful, and objective observations of the social and economic pattern of Southern institutions are of particular significance. His unhurried travel afforded him opportunities for close contact and virtually all elements of Southern life." And of those institutions, Clark notes that Lyell paid close attention to slavery. "He attended slave auctions, inspected living conditions, and observed the various kinds of daily toil. He recognized the complexity of its problems." Clark, Old South III, 352.