Paul and Virginia: An Indian Story (2 Volume Set)

Bernardin de Saint-Pierre; Samuel Hill; Henry Hunter

Boston : Printed for W. Spotswood et J. Nancrede, 1796

[Rare Early American Imprint] 2 volumes.  32mo.  Bound in contemporary calf-backed boards. Joints cracked, dried. Engraved frontispieces. Translated from the French of J.H.B. de Saint Pierre, author of the Studies of nature, by H. Hunter, D.D. ; Embellished with engravings. . Plates engraved by Samuel Hill. - Welch, d'A.A. Amer. children's books, 1143.1.  Evans 31150.  Early translation of Paul et Virginie, printed in 18th century Boston.  Quite scarce example of 18th century American juvenile literature. This book was the inspiration for the later British book, "the Blue Lagoon."  (and by this route, the 1980 Brooke Shields movie of the same name.)  The work was first printed in French in 1787 as a criticism of the classism of the old regime at the eve of the Revolution.   St. Pierre compared corruption in French society to the state of nature the lovers found on the Isle of Mauritius, where goods, food, and land were shared by all without greed or schemes.