Letters from the United States, Cuba and Canada

London: John W. Parker, 1856. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 8" by 5.5". None. The first edition of botanist, writer and courtier Amelia Matilda Murray's 1856 defence of slavery. Two volumes bound in one, with a half title and title page to each volume.In 1854, Murray embarked upon a tour of North America and Cuba where she investigated the institution of slavery. She published this work following her travels - based around letters to her friend Lady Byron, an active abolitionist - in which she explained that for enslaves populations, slavery 'secures work and subsistence for all. It secures more order and subordination also'.Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria prior to the publication of this work, the reaction to it caused her to resign her position as woman of the bedchamber. Illustrated with a folding map to the start of the first volume.A first edition mid nineteenth century defence of slavery, with additional descriptions of the flora and fauna encountered by the author in Canada, Cuba and the States. In the original cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, otherwise, externally very smart. Hinges strained, with boards holding firm. Inscription to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Marginal pencil notations throughout. Pages otherwise bright and generally clean. Very Good