A Book I have found

[Julie H]

Hello everyone, this is my first posting so be gentle with me!

I found a book today that has intrigued me. It is 'Mabel Vaughn' printed in 1857, the author is described as ' the author of the 'Lamplighter'- as if everone should know who that is.
It is edited by, and has a preface by Mrs Gaskell. In fact at first I thought it was a Mrs gaskell story and bought it for that reason until on the way home I read it more carefully.
I cannot find it listed in Mrs Gaskell's works. Does anyone out there have any info for me?

Many thanks
Julie.

[Julie H]

I have found out that the book is by Maria Susanna Cummins.
An American writer. Does anyone know much about her?
Julie

[mono]

Hello, Julie H, welcome to the Literature Network.
I have never heard of Maria Susanna Cummins (1827-1866), but I found some information of her here. According to this website, by luck, you have stumbled upon a first edition print of the novel, Mabel Vaughn (published in 1857), just following Cummins' first novel, The Lamplighter in 1854, preceded by her following novels, E1 Fureidis in 1860 and Haunted Hearts in 1864.
What a good prize you have found, and I hope the book remains in good condition!