[ Books ] (MANUSCRIPT DIARY). Manuscript book of stories by a 19th- Century woman. 2 volumes. Collection of stories embellished with 37 mounted etchings and engravings, 14 of which are hand-colored, with hand painted borders. [6], 312 pages, plus an

[ Books ] (MANUSCRIPT DIARY). Manuscript book of stories by a 19th- Century woman. 2 volumes. Collection of stories embellished with 37 mounted etchings and engravings, 14 of which are hand-colored, with hand painted borders. [6], 312 pages, plus an Index in first volume; [2], 284 pages in second. 230x195 mm, 1 /4 olive leather and boards with gilt-lettered spines, likely bound by owner, rubbed and scuffed.Np, 1845 E300/400 CHARMING HANDWRITTEN BOOKS OF STORIES by a 19th- Century woman whose name cannot be deciphered from the title-pages, although she provides what appears to be the initials F.E.S. de B....She states that most of the stories were written while she was "employed in some needlework and painting and bear a remote resem - blance at least in epoch or places to my occupation of the moment" while others are "founded on a point in history . . . or . . . derivedfrom dreams." She mentions and reiterates that the characters do not share her current feelings or sentiments, as she has never been able to write what she feels very well. Painstakingly copied and handsomelyillustrated, the set is a true labor of love by an ambitious and creative young woman of the 19th century.