Books Currently at Riversdale Mansion

Introduction

After three years of extensive renovations, Riversdale Mansion opened to the public in June 1993.[i] Initial work on the building stabilized the structural integrity of the house and recovered the 1801 floor plan after decades of modifications by various owners, restoring original openings and replacing the floors, shelves, and doors. The restoration of decorative elements and furnishings is ongoing as funds permit. The library, however, is one of the more fully furnished and decorated rooms in the house with restorative efforts aided by several mid to late nineteenth-century descriptions and a piece of original wallpaper.

A visitor to the mansion in 1886 described the library in some detail:

The library is a snug little room situated in the extreme end of the west wing, and completely isolated, as it should be, from the state apartments. Two mahogany book-cases, the shelves of which have long since been denuded of their treasures, occupy two sides of the room and extend from the floor to the ceiling, the other two sides being left free from obstruction, in order to show the elaborate design of an English foxhunt, which is depicted with much force, but evidently without veracity, for in it the lady characters are devoid of waists, that indispensable adjunct of female anatomy merging in with the neck, thus making the forms of the ladies extremely ludicrous. A marble bust of Bobby Burns rests upon a projection over the door, and could it speak would tell many interesting incidents which have happened in the little room when George Calvert and his distinguished guests were congregated there.[ii]

During restoration work on the mansion in the 1990s, workers discovered a large piece of the original French scenic wallpaper described above. With this evidence, matching original wallpaper was purchased from the Metropolitan Museum in New York and installed in the room.[iii] According to the Riversdale Historical Society newsletter, the wallpaper is titled "Stag Hunt near the Chateau de Compiegne." It was made by the Jacquemart et Benard firm in 1816 and was most likely sent from abroad to Rosalie by her family.[iv]

In addition to the acquisition of period furniture and the restoration of the library's wallpaper, an attempt has been made to fill the two mahogany bookcases that reach from the floor to the ceiling with books likely read by George and Rosalie. Below is a list of books that are currently housed in the mansion either in the library or in a secretary/bookcase in a second-floor bedroom, similar to the one on which Rosalie composed her letters.

An asterisk (*) indicates those titles selected for inclusion in the Calvert Library.

Bibliography

* Adams, Rev. John. The Flowers of Ancient History; Comprehending on a new Plan, The most Remarkable and Interesting Events, as well as Characters of Antiquity Designed. Philadelphia: Printed for Benjamin Johnson, 1804.

* Aikin, John, M.D. A View of the Life, Travels and Philanthropic Labors of the Late John Howard, Esquire, LLD FRS. Philadelphia: Printed for John Ormrod by W.W. Woodward, 1794.
[According to the Spring 1992 Riversdale Letter, this book was published by subscription. Among the subscribers were Dr. Benjamin Rush, physician to the Stiers in Philadelphia and Bishop William White, whom they met shortly after their arrival.]

* Allestree, Richard. The New Whole Duty of Man. Dublin: Printed for P. Wilson and J. Esdall, 1752.
[The author is now thought to be Richard Allestree, although authorship has been ascribed to different people.]

* The American Farmer. Baltimore: Samuel Sands and Sons (1819-1874).

* An American Citizen. Discourses on Davila: A Series of Papers on Political History. Boston: Printed by Russell and Cutler, 1805.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals - Microprint EAI II no. 7831]

* Author of The Young Man's Own Book. Young Lady's Sunday Book. Philadelphia: Key & Biddle, 1833; 1834.

* Baines, Edward. History of the Wars of the French Revolution. Philadelphia: Printed and published by M'Carty & Davis, 1819. Vol. 1.

* Barber, Jonathan. Exercises in Reading and Recitation. York, Penn.: J. Barber and C. Mason, 1825.

* Bigland, John, and Jedidiah Morse. A Geographical and Historical View of the World Exhibiting a Complete Delineation of the Natural and Artificial Features of Each Country... Boston: Wait, M. Carey, Pleasants, 1811.

* Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia: W. Brown and C. Peters, 1828, Second Edition, Vols. 4 and 5. (This edition published anonymously but according to WorldCat, edited by John Sanderson; Robert Waln.)

The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. Philadelphia: L. Johnson, 1831.

* Botta, Carlo. History of the War of the Independence of the United States of America. Seventh Edition. vols. 1-2. New Haven: Nathan Whiting, 1837.

* Bozman, John Leeds. A Sketch of the History of Maryland during the three first years after its settlement to which is prefixed, a copious introduction. Baltimore: Edward J. Coale, 1811.
[UM Location: McK Stacks F184 .B79
HBK Maryland Rare Stacks F184 .B79]

* The British Moralist, or, Young Gentleman and Lady's Polite Preceptor: being a new collection of novels, tales, fables, visions, dreams, allegories; selected from those writings of Brooke, Goldsmith, Johnson, Hume, Hawkesworth, Langhorne, Smollet, Sterne, Mulso, Murphy, Shenstone, Miss Carter and other celebrated modern ... 2 vols. London: Robinson and Roberts, 1771.

* Brooke, Henry. Juliet Grenville, or the History of the Human Heart. 2 vols. Philadelphia: J. Sparhawk and J. Dunlap, 1774.

Byron, George Gordon Byron, and Thomas Moore. Poetical Works of Lord Byron, with Explanatory Notes and a Life of the Author by Thomas Moore. New York: Johnson, 1867.

Calvert, George Henry. Brief Essays and Brevities. Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1874.

---. Coleridge, Shelley, and Goethe: Biographic Aesthetic Studies. Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1880.

---. Life, Death, and Other Poems. Boston and New York: Lee and Shepard, C.T. Dillingham, 1882.

---. Mirabeau: An Historical Drama. Cambridge, Mass.: Riverside Press, 1873.

---. Wordsworth: A Biographic Aesthetic Study. Boston and New York: Lee and Shepard, 1878.

* Carleton, George. The Memoirs of Captain George Carleton, an English Officer; Including Anecdotes of the War in Spain under the Earl of Peterborough; and Many Interesting Particulars Relating to the Manners of the Spaniards in the Beginning of the Last Century. London: J. Davis, 1811.

* Carr, John, Esq. The Stranger in France, or a Tour from Devonshire to Paris. Baltimore: G. Hill and John West Butler, 1805.

* Chambaud, Lewis. The Rudiments of the French Tongue, or An Easy and Rational Introduction to French Grammar. [4th ed.] London: W. Strahan, et. al., 1791.

* Chapman, Nathaniel. Elements of Therapeutics and Materia Medica. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea, and Carey, 1822.

* Clarke, Henry. The rationale of circulating numbers,with the investigations of all the rules and peculiar processes used in that part of decimal arithmetic. To which are added, several curious mathematical questions; with some useful remarks on adfected equations, and the doctrine of fluxions. Adapted to the use of schools. London: Printed for Messrs. Ogilvy and Speare, 1794.

Coleridge, Hartley. Essays and Marginalia. London: Edward Moxon, 1851.

Country Gentleman. 2 vols. Albany, N.Y.: L. Tucker & Son (1853-1866).

Covel, Rev. James. A Concise Dictionary of the Holy Bible. New York: Carlton and Porter, 1839.

* Crabb, George. A family encyclopaedia; or, An explanation of words and things connected with all the arts and sciences. New York: Dunning, 1831.

* Craig, John D. ed. The Elements of Euclid; With the Use and Application of the Principal Propositions from Dechalles, Simson, and Playfair. Baltimore: F. Lucas, Jr., 1818.
[UM Location: HBK Maryland Rare Stacks QA451.E8 1818
McK Periodicals - Microprint EAI II no. 43961]

Defoe, Daniel. The Life, Adventures, and Pyracies of the Famous Captain Singleton. New York: Oxford University Press, 1969.

* Duane, William. An Epitome of the Arts and Sciences Being a Comprehensive System of the Elementary Parts of an Useful and Polite Education: Adapted to the Use of Schools in the United States. 2d ed. Philadelphia: William Duane, 1811.

Edgeworth, Maria. The Parent's Assistant, or Stories for Children. New York: James Miller, [1864].

* Emerson, William. The Mathematical Principles of Geography. London: Printed for J. Nourse, 1770.

Fenning, Daniel. The Universal Spelling Book; or a New and Easy Guide to the English Language. Baltimore: Printed and sold by Warner & Hanna, 1813.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals Rm - Microprint | EAI II no. 25417]

Gallaudet, Rev. Thomas H. Jacob and His Sons. Philadelphia: American Sunday School Union, 1832.

* By a Gentleman of the Bar. The Clerk and Magistrate's Assistant. Poughkeepsie, NY: Published by Paraclete Potter, 1816, Second Edition.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals - Microprint EAI II no. 37269]

* Gessner, Salomon, and Mary Collyer. The Death of Abel. Baltimore: Warner and Hanna, 1807.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals - Microprint | EAI II no. 12657]

* Goldsmith, Oliver, M.B. A Survey of Experimental Philosophy. London: Printed for T. Carnan and F. Newbery, 1776. Vol. II.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals - Microprint | Landmarks]

Grant, James Esq. Oliver Ellis; or the Fusiliers. New York: G. Routledge, 1865.

Grant, James. Laura Everingham; or, The Highlanders of Glen Ora. New York: G. Routledge, 1860.

Grant, James. The Romance of War of the Highlanders in Spain. London: George Routledge and Sons, n.d.

Hafsell's Drawing Magazine, Vol. 2.

Harper's New Monthly Magazine. 15 Vols. New York: Harper and Brothers, [C.B. Calvert's time, Vols. 2-8; 10-17 (1851-1858)]

Harrod, John J. The Academical Reader. Baltimore: J. J. Harrod, 1830.

Harwood, J. Esq. Memoirs of the Right Honourable Henry, Lord Brougham. London: T. Allman, 1840.

Hickock, John Hoyt. The Sacred Harp. Lewistown, Penn.: Shugert and Cummings, 1832.

* Hinds, John, and Thomas M. Smith. The Veterinary Surgeon. Philadelphia: John Grigg, 1830.

* Hitchcock, David. Poetical Works of David Hitchcock. Boston: Etheridge and Bliss, 1806.

Holy Bible. New York: American Bible Society, 1861.

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. New York: D. Fanshaw for the American Bible Society, 1840.

Howitt, William. History of Priestcraft in All Ages and Nations. London: E. Wilson, 1833.

Hymnal: According to the Use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. Philadelphia: Protestant Episcopal Book Society, 1871.

* Malcolm, James Peller. Miscellaneous Anecdotes Illustrative of the Manners and History of Europe: During the Reigns of Charles II, James II, William III, and Q. Anne. London: Printed for Longman, et al., 1811.

Marryat, Frederick. Mr. Midshipman Easy. London: Bentley, 1838.

Milton, John, and Elijah Fenton. Milton's Poetical Works: Together with the Life of the Author. New York: Charles Wells, n.d.

* Mitford, William. History of Greece. Vol. 2. Dublin: Printed for L. White, et. al., 1791.

* Moore, Thomas. Poetical Works of the Late Thomas Little, Esq. Dublin: Milliken, 1810.

Moore, Thomas. The Epicurean, A Tale. Philadelphia: Olive-Branch Book Store, 1827.

* Morse, Jedidiah. Geography Made Easy. Baltimore: Thomas, Andrews and Butler, 1800. Seventh Edition.

* Muchall, William, ed. Doctor and Student: or, Dialogues Between a Doctor of Divinity and a Student in the Laws of England. Dublin: Printed by J. Moore, 1792. 18th ed., corr. and improved, by William Muchall.

* Murray, Lindley. The English Reader, or Pieces in Prose and Poetry. Philadelphia: S. Probasco, 1826. [2 copies]

* The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Translated out of the Original Greek; and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Philadelphia: Uriah Hunt, 1821.

* Niles Weekly Register. 6 vols. Baltimore: H. Niles (1820-1830). vols 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 37

Pedder, James. The Farmer's Land Measurer or Pocket Companion: Showing at One View, the Content of Any Piece of Land, from Dimensions Taken in Yards; With a Set of Useful Agricultural Tables. Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co., 1843.

Pepys, Samuel, and Richard Griffin Baybrooke. The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Esq. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1902.

* Perrin, Jean Baptiste. The Elements of French and English Conversation. New York: E. Duyckinck, 1823.

Porter, Jane. Thaddeus of Warsaw. New York: Porter and Jackson, 1856.

Roy, J. J. E. Histoire Jeanne d'Arc. Tours, France: A. Mame, 1850.

* Sanderson, John , and Robert Waln. Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence. 2d ed. Vols. 4 and 5. Philadelphia: W. Brown and C. Peters, 1828.

* Scott, Sir Walter. Ballads and Lyrical Pieces. 2d ed. London: Longman, et. al., 1806.

* ---. Guy Mannering or the Astrologer. Philadelphia: J. Maxwell and R. Wright, 1823.

---. Waverly. 5 vols. Philadelphia: Louis Goddy; New York: Israel Post, 1842.

* ---. Waverly Anecdotes. Vol. 2. London: James Cochrane, 1833.

* Shakespeare, William. The Dramatick Works of William Shakespeare. Vol 7. Boston: Munroe and Francis, 1804.

Shakespeare, William, and Alexander Pope. Works: In Which the Beauties Observed by Pope, Warburton, and Dodd, Are Pointed Out. 8 vols. Edinburgh: Wal Ruddiman, 1769.
[Riversdale has five volumes.]

Smith, Aesop. Rides and Reveries. London: Hurst and Blackett, 1858.

Smith, Horace. The Moneyedman, or the Lesson of a Life. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1841.

* Southey, Robert. Roderick, The Last of the Goths. A Tragic Poem. New York: Edward Earle; Eastburn, Kirk and Co., 1815.
[UM Location: McK Periodicals - Microprint EAI II no. 35983]

Sterne, Laurence. The Works of Laurence Sterne, A.M. Dublin: Printed for D. Chamberlaine, J. Potts, and W. Colles ... , 1780 Fifth Edition, Vol. 7.

Thackeray, W.M. Esq. The English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century. London: 1858.

Thomson, James. The Seasons. New York: D. Appleton and Company, n.d.

Turner, R. The Parlour Letter-Writer, and Secretary's Assistant. Philadelphia: Desilver, Thomas & Co., 1841.

* Walker, John, and Lyman Cobb. Cobb's Abridgement of J. Walker's Critical Pronouncing Dictionary and Expositor of the English Language. Hartford, Conn.: Silas Andrus, 1837.

Weise, Christian Heinrich. C. Cornelii Taciti Opera. Lipsiae: Sumptibus and typis Caroli Tauchnitii, 1829.

Whyte-Melville, G.J. Market Harborough; or, How Mr. Sawyer Went to the Shires. Twelfth Edition. London: Chapman and Hall, n.d.

* Wilson, Benjamin, and Jacopo Bartolomeo Beccaria. A Series of Experiments on the Subject of Phosphori and Their Prismatic Colors: In Which Are Discovered, Some New Properties of Light; Also a Translation of Two Memoirs of the Late J.B. Beccaria, professor of Philosophy at Bologna; Taken from the Bologna Act. Second Edition. London: J. Norse, 1776.

* Worcester, Joseph E. Elements of Geography Ancient and Modern: With an Atlas. 2d ed. Boston: Cummings and Hillard, 1822.

Young, Edward. Night Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality. Philadelphia: James Kay, Jr., and Brother, 1839.

* Young, Edward. The Complaint; or, Night Thoughts on Life, Death and Immortality. London: W. Baynes and Son, 1824.

Notes

i. For more information about the history of Riversdale, see the essay "Riversdale: The House and Its Families."

ii. Washington Post, June 27, 1886.

iii. Thomas W. Sweeney, "Riversdale Changes for the Better." Historic Preservation News 33 (December 1993/January 1994): 28-29.

iv. Riversdale Historical Society Newsletter (Fall 1982): 1.

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