THOREAU, HENRY DAVID | A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1866

The Property of a Gentleman

THOREAU, HENRY DAVID

A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1866

8vo (4 3/8 x 7 1/8 in.; 112 x 180 mm). Minor toning, a few tray spots. Original full green cloth, covers decoratively bordered in blind with central wreath motif, spine gilt lettered with floral motif, brown coated endpapers. In custom quarter green silk over marbled board clamshell case. 

First edition, first printing, one of 1,546 copies 

“The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it.” ― Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience"

In addition to "A Yankee in Canada," this volume contains the first book publications of Thoreau's essays "Civil Disobedience" and "Life Without Principle." Each essay had been previously published serially in different literary magazines. This volume also includes Thoreau's defense of John Brown, first delivered as a speech in 1859, which is indicative of Thoreau's leadership of the abolitionist movement in New England and his radical support for John Brown before his execution. Published posthumously, A Yankee in Canada united Thoreau's moral theories about humanism, individualism, and naturalism.

A fine copy

LITERATURE

BAL 20117