4to [27.5 x 12 cm]; xxiv, 464 pp, 16 plates and maps (complete as per list) including folding colored map, other map, 3 plans, etched frontis, tissue guards. rebacked preserving original leather spine with gilt title lettering and decorations, marbled boards, internal hinge cracked but firm, name on title, interior is clean and fine, with light foxing on a few leaves, including some plates, mostly marginal. A Howes W235. Sabin 102541. TPL 708. A good first edition of these important travels. The plates include several of Niagara, Quebec city, Cohoz Falls, Mount Vernon, Bethlehem, views, etc. The maps include a large folding colored map of northern states of America and a map of Upper and Lower Canada. Clark II, 132: 'Weld landed at Philadelphia in November, 1795, from which he made excursions in all directions. On one of these he visited Baltimore, Washington, Alexandria, and Mount Vernon. On another he moved west to York and Lancaster, the northern neck of Virginia, and Williamsburg and Norfolk, apparently going as far south as the Dismal Swamp. At Williamsburg he noted that the capital was crumbling to pieces, that William and Mary was a grammar school rather than a college, that the church was out of repair, and that the hospital for the insane was not well regulated. On his return he journeyed to Richmond and west to the mountains and, as was usual with travelers, he described Rock Bridge. After coming back to Philadelphia he went to Canada', including Montreal, Quebec, Kingston, Niagara, Detroit, etc. A highly popular account, translated into several languages and with many later printings, including a second edition in the same year in two volumes using the same material, and much on social, economic, agricultural conditions, customs, topography, etc. Howes W235. Sabin 192541. Lande 890. TPL 708.
