{HISTORY}

A journalist, editor and poet, Will Carlton (1845-1912) was one of the most well-known American writers of the late 1800s. Most known for his reflections on rural life and the daily activities of ordinary Americans, Will reflected with humor, sympathy and irony on all life stages in his poems highlighting the good, the bad, and the indifferent circumstances that most humans experience at one time or another throughout their lifetime. Highly respected and beloved across the country,  Will's poetry represented a valuable voice of the American experience.  

In this book, Farm Festivals, published in 1881, Will includes poems about rural life - about founding families, farm chores, and the simple seasonal celebrations that mark the year. There's a poem about the country fair, told in both a human voice and also from the perspective of farm animals. There's a poem titled The Festival of Good Cheer, which reflects on the Christmas holiday and all that it entails including the weather, food, religious symbolism, and the warmth of family and friends.  There are poems of struggles and triumphs, of independence and fortitude. Poems of flaws, thwarted dreams, true love, and wistful yearnings. There's The Festival of Industry which tells of the story of land and house - a gift of marriage to start an independent life and family and then delves into the hardships of wanting more and more only to realize that happiness was not brought on by excess.    

Beautifully presented with a gilt covering and interior black and white illustrations, this book is as interesting to look at as it is to read.  Since Will's work focused mostly on common experiences and common situations, his poems offer insight into the daily lives of 19th-century Americans, which is just fascinating. Details about their day-to-day activities, thoughts, experiences, desires, and relationships with nature, religion, animals, each other all offer a glimpse into what life might have been like on an intimate level for our early ancestors in America. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Published in 1881 by Harper & Brothers 
• 167 pages 
• Illustrated throughout
• Decorated coverboards
• A list of suggested reading at the back of the book offers a glimpse into the ideal library of the Victorian reader

{CONDITION}

In Beautiful antique condition, this book is clean and bright throughout. The cover is in beautiful shape with crisp, clear and shimmery imagery of flowering trees, fruit and birds. There are two small black scuff marks on the back coverboard. The spine is tight and all pages are intact. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 9.25" inches (length)  x 6.75" inches (width) x .75" inches (thickness) and weighs 1.9lbs