Los Gringos: Or, An Inside View Of Mexico And California, With Wanderings In Peru, Chili, And Polynesia

HENRY A. WISE

Publication: Baker and Scribner, 1849, New York

First edition. 8vo. Cloth, xvi, 453 pp., preface. The author gives an uncommonly interesting narrative of his extensive travels. California bibliographer, Robert E. Cowan states, "This author, sometimes known as "Harry Gringo", wrote in vigorous and picturesque style. The descriptions of California occupy pages 38-141." Wise first went to California in 1846, and stayed for some time in Monterey, San Francisco, and San Jose. Many interesting observations of events in California and Mexico during the war. Naval Officer Wise (1819-1869) served with distinction in the Mexican War and later headed the Naval Ordinance Bureau. This book reports on a voyage, started in 1846, from Boston, around the Horn, to the placed named in the subtitle. Wise "witnessed the arrival of the Donner Party and gives an account of their experiences as it was told to him by one of the survivors. "one of them feasted on her good papa, but on making soup of her lover's head, she confessed to some inward qualms of conscience." -- Eberstadt 114: 189. Rebacked with the original spine laid-down, rubbed at the corners and fore-edges, text lightly foxed as well as 1/2" x 2 1/2" chip to top edge of title page, else a very good, tight copy.

Inventory Number: 50290