My Study Fire

by Hamilton Wright Mabie, 65 Illustrations By Maude Alice and Genevieve Cowles (Illustrator)

1899. No Edition Remarks. 204 pages. No dust jacket. Green cloth covered boards with gilt. Pages remain clear with minimal tanning and foxing. Minor pencil marking to front free end-paper. Binding remains firm. Boards have mild edge wear with slight rubbing to surfaces. Mild crushing to spine ends. Gilt lettering is bright and clear. Book has a slight forward lean.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1890

About the author

Hamilton Wright Mabie, A.M., L.H.D., LL.D. (1846–1916) was an American essayist, editor, critic, and lecturer.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some books that are best read aloud, and I found this collection of essays to be one of them. The author was a scholar and makes allusions to works that were considered masterpieces when this was published in 1890 as he provides commentary on life and literature, and the change of seasons. Common threads through each of the essays: the state of the fire on his hearth and the presence of Rosalind, presumably his wife and kindred spirit.

The style is somewhat dated and dense, but the work overall is profound and gentle. Worth a re-read for better appreciation, it will stay on my night table for a while yet.