Saintine,X.B. (d.i. Xavier Boniface). Lot n° 165

Alone. Translated from the French (Seul!) by RAS (R.A. Sterling ?). Jan. 1896. 4°. English manuscript on paper in 2 parts. 80 and 83 mostly written on both sides. Loose sheets in document sleeves in 4 ring binders. With enclosed. Letter (8°, 2 pp.) from the translator with signature, dat. Jan. 1896: For my darling Henriette who has been my best friend through life: The fruits of many hours work in the hope of giving her a little pleasure, I have translated the French book Seul, Alone being the true history of Alexandre Selkirk or Selcraig from whom the idea of Robinson Crusoe was taken. That book being a novel and this the true history as attested by the Navigators therein mentioned I foolishly began it at the time, when I was alone for three months in the most frightfully hot weather with the perspiration streaming down my face and the room being kept as dark as possible in order to try and keep out the flies which it did not do entirely... I can say with truth however that I have gone over the two books several times and I think that all is perfectly distinct and easy to read and that the only thing I have left undone is putting the comas! I have gone over it so many times that I really cannot go over it again..." - We have not been able to find an English edition of this work, which was published in 1857. D