America
Historical, Statistic, and Descriptive

A three-volume study of North American life published in 1841 by one of nineteenth-century Britain's leading travel writers.

James Silk Buckingham (Author)

9781108032520, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

584 pages, 23 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.3 cm, 0.73 kg

James Silk Buckingham (1786–1855) was a writer who travelled extensively throughout the world and published accounts of his adventures in places such as India, Persia, Egypt, and Palestine. In addition, he was a supporter of political reform and served as the first MP for Sheffield, from 1832 to 1837. On retiring from Parliament, he left for North America, where he spent nearly four years, saying, 'I had a strong desire to add to the knowledge … acquired of the Old World, by examining for myself the most favoured portion of the New'. He recounts part of his time in America - during which he visited every state in the Union except Florida and Arkansas, as well as some of the provinces of Canada - in this three-volume work, published in 1841. Volume 2 follows his travels through Pennsylvania, Delaware, and upstate New York before he heads to Niagara Falls.

1. Origin of the settlement of Pennsylvania
2. Favourable site or position chosen for the city
3. Prisons of reformation in Philadelphia
4. Manufactures, trade, and commerce of Philadelphia
5. Anti-abolition riot at Philadelphia
6. Benevolent institutions of Philadelphia
7. History and description of the Pennsylvania Hospital
8. The seaman's friend society
9. Visit to the Eastern penitentiary of Philadelphia
10. Environs of Philadelphia, and excursions
11. Traits of national manners in America
12. Departure from Philadelphia
13. Departure for Albany
14. Early history of the settlement of Albany
15. Government of the State, legislative and executive
16. Religious establishments in Albany
17. Population of Albany
18. Excursion to the Shaker village of Niskyuna
19. Origin of the sect of Shakers in Germany and France
20. Leading peculiarities of the sect of Shakers
21. Peculiar opinions as to the original sin of Adam and Eve
22. Journey from Albany to Schenectady
23. Arrival and stay at Saratoga springs
24. Sensitiveness of Americans to foreign censure
25. Leave Ballston for the Falls of Niagara
26. Beautiful position and appearance of Geneva
27. First sight of the rapids above the falls
28. Excursion to the Tuscorara settlement
29. Leave Niagara for the village of Chippewa.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]