THE SWEETS OF SOLITUDE! OR DIRECTIONS TO MANKIND HOW THEY MAY BE HAPPY IN A "MISERABLE WORLD!" AND INSURE A GLORIOUS INHERITANCE IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME. BY AMOS WILSON, WHO LIVED 19 YEARS IN A CAVE, SECLUDED FROM THE SOCIETY OF MAN. ANNEXED IS A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SAID WILSON, THE EXTRAORDINARY MANNER IN WHICH HE SPENT THE 19 YEARS OF HIS SECLUSION, AND THE PARTICULARS OF THE MELANCHOLLY EVENT WHICH LED HIM TO PREFER A SOLITARY LIFE.
Boston: Printed for John Wilkey, 1822. 12mo. 36pp. Stitched and untrimmed, as issued, with woodcut frontis of Wilson. Scattered foxing. Good+.
Wilson's reclusive life "excited so much curiosity in the western part of the state" of Pennsylvania. His beautiful sister became infatuated with and was "shamefully seduced by a wretch," who impregnated her. A jury convicted her of infanticide; she was executed-- her brother arrived a few minutes too late with a pardon, signed by the Governor. Grief-stricken, Wilson withdrew from the world.
The first edition of 1821 is rare, OCLC recording only the copy at AAS. This offering is the second edition. It later appeared in the 1830's as 'The Pennsylvania Hermit.'
Howes W515. Item #26417
Price: $175.00