ANDREW JOHNSON

In 2011 we highlighted Bullis Collection books about the Civil War as we recognized the 150th anniversary of that conflict's beginning. This week we fast-forwarded to the end of the war, as we  looked at a book published in 1866: Life and Times of Andrew Johnson, Seventeenth President of the United States. Written from a national stand-point. By a national man. The title reveals a great deal about this book and its author, Kenneth Rayner. And in his preface, Rayner tells the reader why he considers it important that President Johnson's position be thoroughly  understood and appreciated by the public as they dealt with the aftermath of that war.

Whether Rayner's book had any influence at that time, we do not know. However, on February 24, 1868, the House of Representatives impeached President Andrew Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Johnson was later acquitted by the Senate. However, the president who assumed office when President Lincoln was assassinated was not elected to that office for the following term leaving us to assume that the issues Rayner raised remained unresolved.

This is another Bullis book that you can access on line. However, if you'd like the experience of sitting amidst and breathing the aroma of  classic books while you're enjoying Rayner's book, please pay us a visit in the Bullis Room. We're looking forward to seeing you.

Historical Reading

Oh, what to post on today - walked into the Bullis Room, pulled a book off the shelf and said - - yes.
This little book is titled The historical reader designed for the use of schools and families on a new plan by Rev. J. L. Blake.  The quote on the title page is "History serves to amuse the imagination; to interest the passions; to improve the understanding; and to strengthen the sentiments of virtue and piety."  This was a book owned by A. R. Bullis and probably used in the late 1800's, possibly early 1900's.  It was published in 1825 originally with this copy being printed in 1832.  This book covers Biblical history, Greek and Roman history, Islamic history, European history and U.S. History.  Each page has questions at the bottom of it - What was the character of Cleopatra?; What did Luther do with this bull of excommunication?; What anecdote is related of Edward the black prince, to illustrate the advantages of chivalry?; Who promoted the courts of Inquisition in Spain?; By whom, and for what reason did Providence receive its name?; When was the Battle of Erie?; What was the motto on Commodore Perry's union jack?; When did Bonaparte enter Moscow?; and the list goes on.  I would expect that the answers to these questions would stimulate our imaginations, interest us in learning more, improve our understanding and help us to see what is right and what is wrong.  It's an intriguing book - one that I would rather read than peruse. 

May I have your autograph?

Do you remember autograph books?  They are not used as much as they once were.  But in some cultures they are still used.  And have you been asked to sign one recently?  Don't you wish you could remember some of those little ditties?  A little research will show that in the mid to late 1800's those "ditties" were actually emphasizing spiritual growth and wishes for good things for the friends.  If you read any from the 1930's or 1940's, you may be in for a surprise.  The ditties changed.  Some were about being good friends and some pushed the limits a little.  Do we have one of these autograph books in the Bullis Collection?  We're sorry to say - no, we don't.  But we were quite surprised when we were doing the War of 1812 book display and found the little dittie that follows on the back page of the textbook Mastery Units in American History by Maurice Rovner.  This book was not used by the Bullis family other than for reading as far as we can tell.  We believe that Charlie Bullis bought it at a book sale somewhere.  It belonged to a young woman and was used in the late 1930's or early 1940's.  So for the romantics everywhere whose minds travel faster than the words are written and read into things much more than they should, the following is shared.

If in the world these were the only two

And all the world was good and true

And if you knew that no one knew,

Would you?

If you dreamed in pajamas blue, 

Of two strong arms embracing you 

And if you really wanted to, 

Would you?

If the world were nice and bright

And if I stayed with you all night

And if we turned out the light,

Would you?

And if we were in a certain place

And we were sleeping face to face

Nothing between us but a little lace,

Would you

Kiss me goodnight?

Sweet little book

We have sitting here on our computer desk a book, a delightful little book.  It measures perhaps 4 inches along the spine and 6 inches across the bottom.  The notes in our database regarding it are very descriptive:  nice chromos, oblong, boards bowed, text block strong, some damp-staining, "sweet little book."  The title of this Nelsons Pictorial Guide Book is The English Lakes in the Neighbourhood of Ambleside (1870).  And it is a fabulous little book.  I believe the chromos refers to chromolithography which was used in the mid to late 1800's.  There are 12 chromos in this book and the coloring is wonderful - it is soft and it is vibrant.  They are of places like Blea Tarn, Ambleside, Clappersgate, Windermere, Grasmere, Elterwater, graves of Wordsworth & Coleridge, and Rydal Mount.  Being a good guide book, the places are described with geographic location, who may have been living there in 1870, excerpts from poetry regarding these sites, and folklore surrounding the names and sites.  What a delightful frolic is held with in the covers of this book.  There are treasures all around us.  Take time this week to find and to appreciate the treasures in your life!!