Old books are awesome in pretty much every way. It's not the text that is the most intriguing part of the old book package, (although the text is often interesting), but the way in which a heap of material has aged over long periods of time. You can trace the history of a book, its owners, where it has been sitting, where it was made and how it came to be with you. Call me a nerd (which I am), but old books are some of my most valuable possessions, even though most did not cost much at all. I want to post here some of my small collection.
My favourite, and oldest book is 'School Geography' by James Cornwell, Fortieth Edition. It was published in London at Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers' Court; Hamilton, Adams and Co., Paternoster Row in the year 1867. It was printed by J. & W. Rider whose factory was on 14 Bartholomew Close, London. This small textbook for 'beginners', with a thickly embossed cover and a now faded globe symbol on the front, made its (very long) way from London to Launceston TAS. On the first page is stamped 'Walch Bro & Birchall - Booksellers and Stationers, Launceston', and there are 360 pages in total. It was then bought, or given to R. McKenzie on the 22nd of May 1868 for 4 shillings and 6 pence (quite a lot for Launceston in this time). I get the impression that this young lad or lass is younger rather than older, and enjoys writing his name in cursive throughout the book (bored in school?). From here, the book probably sat and did nothing after they left school since it is in such good condition. I came across it for $12 at the Hobart Post Office junk store. In the front cover is written 'God save the ancient manners from the fiends that plague the skies', and in the back, 'Jealousy is the green eyed monster which doth (munch the meat (?)) it feeds on'. This is what I love about old books. Here we have the scribblings of a 140 year old school kid probably bored in school, probably proud of their writing ability - How else can you delve so easily into 1860's life? Just incredible.
Considering its age, the book is in very good condition. The binding remains solid and there are no tears. While the text itself is not usually my main concern, the text in this book is probably its greatest interest. We have a geography book from a time before three quarters of the modern worlds states were formed and when a third of the world was unvisited by European explorers. You are transported into a whole different mindset. Here are some examples;
On the planet list, Uranus is called 'Herschel', Pluto hasn't been discovered and Jupiter has four moons. Here's a description of 'continents' ;
"The Old Continent, called also the old world, consists of Europe Asia and Africa, which are also themselves sometimes termed Continents: the New Continent, called also the New World, from its recent discovery by Europeans, consists of North and South America, each of which is also sometimes styled a Continent". The New world was 'recently discovered' then.
There is an interesting note about European politics, "England, France, Russia, Austria and Prussia, are called the five great powers, and if they can agree among themselves the peace of Europe is secured". It's politics that forms the basis for perhaps the most interesting part of the book - the authors complete English bias and supreme hate of France, which his country had defeated over the previous fifty years. There is no stopping a pom who at the time actually had a good country to brag about. Here he goes;
*He feels the need to break into song (in a Geography textbook) to describe the Thames, for which it "would be difficult to point out a spot in which art and wealth have been applied with such effect to improve a naturally beautiful neighbourhood." He sings "Oh! could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example as it is my theme".
* Domestic Animals are "very superior", the Manufactures "more numerous and important than those of any other country", Commerce is the "Most extensive and very rapidly increasing...far greater than that of any other country, either ancient or modern", Internal Communications "Superior to that of any other country", Navy "greatly superior to that of any other country" - and these are all true (though it is a wonder how they got to where they are now considering their head start).
* But Cornwell left his best to the very important section titled 'Miscellaneous Observations'. "Owing to the entire separation of England from other countries, its inhabitants are characterized by strong national features. They are brave, enterprising, and industrious, and remarkably attached to liberty and home, but reserved and proud to strangers." In even smaller writing is written "It is incomparably the richest country in the world; notwithstanding which, a frightful amount of poverty exists".
For the rest of the book, everything just seems strange. While we often read about history as it happened, we don't usually get to read it as it is happening. There are far too many points of interest to list, but here are some;
* Germany isn't yet unified but remain as "a confederation of 34 independent states".
* It seems that everyone is being ruled by a king
* There are still bears running all around Europe (almost all are dead now)* The author enjoys making a point about Gibraltar "An almost impregnable fortress belonging to England, taken by Sir George Rooke in 1704 and unsuccessfully besieged by the united French and Spanish fleets in 1782". He also enjoys saying "In the wars with England, France has, from time to time, been deprived of her foreign possessions. This must be the result of a contest while England retains the supremacy of the sea".
* The author consistently uses the title 'Miscellaneous Observations" to voice his own opinions about how terrible a country is. Spain; "Great laxity of morals is prevalent, assassination being by no means uncommon, and the country infested with bands of powerful banditti. The favourite national sport is bull-fighting, the large towns having buildings devoted to that cruel amusement." Portugal; "Perhaps the Portuguese are the lowest of all European nations in civilisation and morality. Both in their houses and persons they are excessively dirty."
* While he is extremely descriptive of Europe, when he goes into details about Africa and Asia, he knows almost nothing - no one did. One of the main religions of Asia is 'Paganism'. The only interesting thing to happen to the area of 'Beloochistan' (Around Pakistan) was that it was "stormed by the British in 1829". All the governments not under British rule seem to be "Despotic". He describes a Chinese habit, "If a high personage or official has offended the Government, he is expected to commit suicide, which he does by ripping himself up in the presence of his family and friends. This strange custom, which prevails also in Japan is called the "Happy Dispatch". Hmmm.
* America has 35 states and the people have "an overweening opinion of themselves". Of course the British on the other hand were endlessly modest.
* Australia, not even 100 years old has some interesting points.
- The Platypus is called the ornithorhynchus.
- The first people to cross the continent were "Poor Burke and Wills"
- He doesn't know how big Western Australia is- Sydney has 60,000 inhabitants, Parramatta is a different town.
- Tasmania is interesting (where the book was bought), "90,000 inhabitants, of whom many are still convicts."
Well that's enough. The moral of the story is that old books are cool.
