Wait Mrs Benjamin (3 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First edition. 356pp., frontispiece, folding map. Contemporary quarter-leather and papercovered boards. One half of the folding map lacking (torn away at the fold), corners rounded, scattered foxing throughout, an otherwise very good copy.

An interesting and vivid account of Benjamin Wait's imprisonment on Van Dieman's Island as a result of charges brought against him during the insurrection in Upper Canada, supposedly compiled and published by his wife. Written in the form of letters, this is a minutely detailed description of life in the prison colony, the events leading to Wait's incarceration, and his efforts to lobby for his release. A crude little map of Tasmania, printed in negative, must be the first chart of that island executed in Buffalo. HOWES W16. SABIN 100969. TPL 2622. 12mo. Original half calf and paper boards. Boards chipped and worn, particularly at corners. Map trimmed to fit text block, affecting left edge of image. Later pencil ownership inscription on front flyleaf. Light foxing. Good.

Written During Four Years Imprisonment for Political Offences Commited in Upper CanadaFirst edition. Frontispiece & a folding map. 16mo. An unsophisticated copy in original quarter calf, gilt. vi, 7-356pp. Buffalo, A.W. Wilgus, Wait's involvement in events prior to the Canadian revolution of 1837-8, resulted in a charge of high treason and a death sentence. Half an hour before he was due to be hanged, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Wait was transported to Van Diemen's Land, though had already escaped to New York before he received word of his pardon. These letters comprise a valuable account of life within the penal system and include descriptions of landscape, agriculture and customs and habits of the local Aborigines. Wait's pardon resulted solely from the efforts of his wife, who sadly died not long after they were reunited. Ferguson, 3762.