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WILLIAM SMITH LEONARD : 1842 SWEET ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN JOURNAL BY THE 9-YEAR OLD SON OF A REVEREND, GOING TO SCHOOL, LEARNING ABOUT LIFE, AND EXHIBITING QUINTESSENTIAL ‘JOIE DE VIVRE’

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is boyhood journal of William Smith Leonard of Dublin, NH, written throughout 1841 and the very beginning of 1842. Leonard is a child and the journal covers the day-to-day life of the young man and his observations of the world around him. William Leonard was born in 1832, so this diary would be written when he was 9 years old. He often mention the daily weather, as well as playing outside when the snow melts, shooting a bow and arrow, building a violin, going to church meetings and school, and often being sick. He has a childlike awe and wonder to his writing that is a delight to read. His ‘joie de vivre’ is infectious. He speaks often about his ‘Papa’, who is a Reverend and seems to travel a good bit. The journal goes from February 1841 and continues until January 11, 1842. There is also a good deal of doodling and playing around with the shape and form of letters. The last page contains a cute little poem, “The Prettiest Kitten” by the well known English writer Charles Lamb (though title and authorship are not stated) that begins, “I sprang to life with playful face.” The journal is roughly 35 pages in length, and every page has diary entries written. It is unbound, but shows only minimal wear. The front and back pages have slight discoloration, It's a wonderful glimpse into the life of child in the mid 1800's. Sample entries: “Feb. 5, 1841. Friday. It is a beautiful day & my aunt Sarah is here. Cal saw a sleigh ride go by this morning from Peterborough to Keene I must do my shoeing.”; “May 11. Tuesday. Papa came home from Keene this morn. I was very glad to see him. It rains some to day.”; “May 18. Tuesday. I have been to school again to day. I have had two happy days. It has shower’d some to day.”; May 20. Thursday. It is a beautiful day, very warm. I took a walk up on to the great hill after school to find some flowers.”; September 11. Saturday. It is a very warm day. I have a bad cold. Mama and I think of going a Blackberrying this afternoon.”; Nov. 9. Saturday, 1841. It is a pleasant day. Some snow fell yesterday, but it is melton off to day very fast. Our school closed last week. I begun Latin yesterday.”; “January 7. Friday, 1842. It is cloudy. We went to Peterborough yesterday. I think I shall have fine sliding to morrow.” (Background: William Smith Leonard was Born 13 Oct 1832 in Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. He was the son of Levi Washburn Leonard and Elizabeth Morison (Smith) Leonard. His father was the Reverend Levi Washburn Leonard, Born June 1, 1790 in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and died 12 Dec 1864 in Exeter, New Hampshire.). Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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