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LYDIA A. WALBRIDGE [nee GRAY] : 1857 ORIGINAL, WHIMSICAL PRE CIVIL WAR MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF POETRY, ESSAYS, PERSONAL THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS BY AN INSIGHTFUL, LITERATE BOSTON WOMAN

4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. On offer is a most unusual book of poetry and prose collected in the opening years of the 20th century. Measuring 10 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches, this hardbound volume containing 266 pages is in very good condition. The pages are about 68% complete. The handwriting is clear and legible. Written by Lydia A. Walbridge, the poems and letters span the years 1857 to 1909. Walbridge (nee Gray) was born likely in Westbrook, ME, based on context clues from a poem written to her brother. Her family relocated to Boston and she spent her life in Boston and surrounding area. Her husband, F.G Walbridge owned and operated a furniture and carpet business. Walbridge wrote extensively on topics as varied as the whimsical to the death of a colleague at a charitable foundation. Some of her work was published in the literary magazine The Original. There are a total of 80 separate pieces. It's interesting to see the changes in her handwriting as the years progress. Some examples include: "In Spottie Hastings Album. Feel the pure and spotless pages Of this little book of thine Take among its friendly tributes This unworthy scrawl of mine In future years may all your paths be bright E'vn til at last you reach the Heavenly Light." 1871, or this selection from a longer piece entitled The Woman Question: "In the beginning when the world was made According to God's great plan He was satisfied with all his works Until he had made man (several verses omitted). These are God's laws and when man thinks That he can stand alone He's very sure to feel the need Of the power behind the thrown", 1892; "From out of the mystery cometh to earth A new child of God through the gateway of birth Out of the mystery there beyond death Goes a new child of God through the gateway of death"; We smile at the birth At the death toll the bell Yet which is the better Who is there can tell" [quoted from Minot J. Savage] undated. There are interesting tidbits of information in the dedications such as: "Written for Emma Moses one morning in the winter of 1881 while visiting at my house, 58 Thomas Park, So Boston" [p. 148]. Emma Moses is her sister, Sarah E. Moses who was married to Joshua Moses. "To Isa May James at the Normal School, Gorham Maine, 1893" [p. 58]. Also included are the handwritten notes and finished printed version of her comments on the 50th anniversary of her sister's wedding. This is a delightful look at a half century of writing by a woman with a warm, humorous and thoughtful outlook. This would be a fine addition to a collection of early American poetry.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good +

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