(New York: James Miller, 1864).

VERY RARE WORK BY "ONE OF THAT DAMNED MOB OF SCRIBBLING WOMEN" as she was called by Nathaniel Hawthorne after her less than glowing review in the North American Review of the author's most famous book, THE SCARLET LETTER. In spite of Hawthorne's displeasure, Abbott was a highly successful magazine editor, literary reviewer, author, and perhaps most famously designer of card and board games for children. As editor of "The Child's Friend" a literary journal for young people, Abbott funneled all profits from the publication to the relief of indigent and neglected children.
This work consist of two stories. The title story is one of prudence and conduct of life told with gentle humor. The second, Sea-Shell Island, is an adventure tale of castaways. Item #32706

Rare First Edition. Worldcat lists only 4 copies in institutional holdings and we are aware of no other copies currently available in commerce. With engraved frontispiece, vignette half-title, vignette on title, seven engraved plates, and illustrations within the text. 8vo, publisher's original plum cloth, the binding embossed in an elaborate design, the upper cover titled in gilt within an ornate gilt round frame which is mirrored on the rear in blind, the spine elaborately gilt lettered and pictorially decorated. 279, [6 ads] pp. A very nice copy of this rare and seldom seen children's book, the textblock is clean and fresh, the cloth still retains fully its colour, a small bit of chipping to the head and tail of the spine panel.