Book - Sturm's Reflections
Sturm, Christoph Christian. Sturm's reflections on the works of God, and his providence throughout all nature. Complete in one volume. Philadelphia: Published by J.J. Woodward, No. 7, Minor Street. 1838.
1838
Sturm, Christoph Christian. Sturm's reflections on the works of God, and his providence throughout all nature. Complete in one volume. Philadelphia: Published by J.J. Woodward, No. 7, Minor Street. 1838.
8vo in half-sheets (219 x 140mm), pp. 486, with engraved and etched frontispiece and title-page, printed on a single sheet and tipped-in before the typographic title-page. Bound in calf, with spine gilt in compartments. Rubber ink stamp of MHS to title-page. Early ink gift inscription to front free endpaper, early ink ownership inscription to verso of engraved plate. An early ink ownership inscription has been sometime excised front the second front free endpaper. Enclosed is an early letter written in ink.
Sturm's Reflections was the work he was best known for in his time. It influenced many larger-than-life figures throughout the centuries, including Beethoven, and would have been widely read in the early- mid-19th-cent. when this edition was published.
This copy of Sturm's Reflections was gifted early in its life "To M. Catharine Williams by T.E.H[and?].", as we are told by the early ink inscription to its front free endpaper. Ms. Williams inscribed her name within, and enclosed a piece of correspondence addressed to her, which has remained in the book until today. Its transcription reads:
"Miss M. Catherine [sic?] Williams
Petersburg Virginia
Dear Catherine
By this intrusion you will discern that through the vista of departed years, I have not ceased to cherish the remembrance of one of my schoolgirl favourites; for, in the chains which binds me to the companions of my joyous schooldays, not one link has ever been severed, or ever ceased to possess the magnetic attraction of [going?] to these halcyon days of yore, as the brightest ones on the page of memory, where we together basked in the sunshine of pleasure and bent at the shrine of Knowledge.
Though your impenetrable silence, has thrown (to me) a mantle of shade over every thing connected with you since we left the shades of La Vallée, academic grove of La Valée, I knew your memory would wander back to the golden moments of the past, for it is still unchanged, not one leaf that has so long waved over it, has felt the vicissitude of time, but they still shadow the laughter, loving schoolgirl, and of the breathe[sic] on the evening zephr[sic] the names of those they have known, but will know no more.
I quite wearied our acquaintance from Petersburg by my innumerable questions, respecting yourself and dear Julia, and they were responded only by telling me of change, for from what I was informed I presume I should recognise neither of you, so altered you [are] as it has been so very long since I heard from you, that my ideas are quite antiquated as regards the modus of your natal place.
Do unite me to everything relating to yourself and Julia, and tell me of your sisters, the pensive Louise and blue eyed laughing Juliana, say do her sunny tresses wave in such soft luxuriant ringlets around her sunny brow as when I saw her? Please write me of the most fashionable music both for the harp and piano.
All of La Vallée unites in affection to yourself and Julia, and receive the unchanging love of your friend,
Marguerite C. B[?]"
8vo in half-sheets (219 x 140mm), pp. 486, with engraved and etched frontispiece and title-page, printed on a single sheet and tipped-in before the typographic title-page. Bound in calf, with spine gilt in compartments. Rubber ink stamp of MHS to title-page. Early ink gift inscription to front free endpaper, early ink ownership inscription to verso of engraved plate. An early ink ownership inscription has been sometime excised front the second front free endpaper. Enclosed is an early letter written in ink.
Sturm's Reflections was the work he was best known for in his time. It influenced many larger-than-life figures throughout the centuries, including Beethoven, and would have been widely read in the early- mid-19th-cent. when this edition was published.
This copy of Sturm's Reflections was gifted early in its life "To M. Catharine Williams by T.E.H[and?].", as we are told by the early ink inscription to its front free endpaper. Ms. Williams inscribed her name within, and enclosed a piece of correspondence addressed to her, which has remained in the book until today. Its transcription reads:
"Miss M. Catherine [sic?] Williams
Petersburg Virginia
Dear Catherine
By this intrusion you will discern that through the vista of departed years, I have not ceased to cherish the remembrance of one of my schoolgirl favourites; for, in the chains which binds me to the companions of my joyous schooldays, not one link has ever been severed, or ever ceased to possess the magnetic attraction of [going?] to these halcyon days of yore, as the brightest ones on the page of memory, where we together basked in the sunshine of pleasure and bent at the shrine of Knowledge.
Though your impenetrable silence, has thrown (to me) a mantle of shade over every thing connected with you since we left the shades of La Vallée, academic grove of La Valée, I knew your memory would wander back to the golden moments of the past, for it is still unchanged, not one leaf that has so long waved over it, has felt the vicissitude of time, but they still shadow the laughter, loving schoolgirl, and of the breathe[sic] on the evening zephr[sic] the names of those they have known, but will know no more.
I quite wearied our acquaintance from Petersburg by my innumerable questions, respecting yourself and dear Julia, and they were responded only by telling me of change, for from what I was informed I presume I should recognise neither of you, so altered you [are] as it has been so very long since I heard from you, that my ideas are quite antiquated as regards the modus of your natal place.
Do unite me to everything relating to yourself and Julia, and tell me of your sisters, the pensive Louise and blue eyed laughing Juliana, say do her sunny tresses wave in such soft luxuriant ringlets around her sunny brow as when I saw her? Please write me of the most fashionable music both for the harp and piano.
All of La Vallée unites in affection to yourself and Julia, and receive the unchanging love of your friend,
Marguerite C. B[?]"
B2021.11