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[JUDGE] RUFUS C COWING : 1854 SUPER, ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF A YOUNG 14 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WOULD SOON GROW TO BE ONE OF NEW YORK CITY'S MOST RENOWNED JURISTS PRESIDING OVER SOME OF THE CITY'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMES

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a superb, original diary and journal of Rufus B. Cowing, a famed Judge in New York City who presided over a number of notorious criminal cases in the years following the American Civil War. He was born in 1840 and received this journal from his uncle in 1854, at the age of 14. At that time, he was enrolled in the 'Bash-Bish Institute', a private school in the area of Bash-bish Falls, MA. The time period covered extends from 1854 to 1862 with sporadic entries for years in that time span. The first 20 pages detail his day-to-day activities as a student: I was successful in all my lessons. My principal studies are Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, German and Latin Grammar. I think I get along with all my studies very well. [Aug 11, 1854] the day was very pleasant and passed very pleasantly. I rehearsed all of my lessons perfectly on the same day. I received a letter from Uncle James [Aug 18, 1854]. Most of the entries until Nov 3rd of this nature - a young boy attempting to record his daily experiences. His last entry at the school is Nov 3rd: ... I don't like the school as much as I did first term...The next 2 pages contain 8 entries from 1857. He is in New York and seeking work - without much success initially. However, on May 23rd (?), 1857, he notes beginning work at the Mechanics Bank. On July 21, he writes: I was promoted to Asst Credit Clerk and I must say that I find this work very much harder than I did when I first went there. But I like my situation very much [July 21, 1857] The next 6 pages contain a dozen or so entries. He frequently expresses of much he likes his work ... the more that I am here, the more I find that I like it more ... [Feb 1, 1858] He had joined the Letalethean Society and was elected their Corresponding Secretary. He noted on Apr 21 I delivered an oration on the "Character of LaFayette" [May 25, 1859] 1859 has just one entry: Today I handed in my resignation to the Letalethean Society which it was accepted and I was voted an honorary membership [May 25, 1859] The next 2 pages consist of summary of the year (1859-1860) since he left the bank. He went to work at a leather shop and spent time travelling as far west as Chicago. Considering the outstanding career he would create for himself, the sole entry of 1862 marks an important turning point: ... commenced to read law with the law firm of Niles and Bagley. This is an outstanding glimpse into the early life of a famed New York City judge, who in his 28 years on the bench, presided over some of the city's most sensational criminal and corruption cases. A historian would find this a fascinating read as it offers an insight into how the character of this man was shaped. The diary is leather bound and measures 7 in by 6 in. The cover and pages are in good condition.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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