Publication: W Thomas Taylor, 1991, Austin
First U. S. edition thus. 8vo. Limited to 750 copies. This book originally published in 1844 in the U. K. and 1845 U. S. using the same title. Two-tone quarter cloth and decorated paper over boards, xviii [2], 274 pp., introduction, illustrated, portraits, notes, bibliography, index. This title is the first volume in the Library of Texas series. Laid-in is a signed letter by Tom Taylor attesting to this fact. Mrs Houstoun was the name of Matilda Charlotte (Jesse) Fraser (1815?-1892). Basic Texas Books 97 B says, "This sprightly account was written by a wealthy English lady who visited Texas in 1842 in her husband's private yacht. Her view of the Texans is surprisingly free of snobbery, although she viewed them with the same paternalism that the English of her day viewed all non-Englishmen. Her narrative is so light and breezy that it is easy to shrug it off as superficial; in fact, she gives us some exceptional insights into Texas of the 1840s. After returning to England, Matilda Houstoun began writing her book on Texas, which had charmed her beyond any of the other places she had visited." Fine, bright, unread copy without dust jacket, as issued.
Inventory Number: 49478