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Smelt, Caroline Elizabeth : Extracts from the Memoirs of Caroline E. Smelt

To be Had of Benjamin & Thomas Kite, No. 20, North Third Street; and for Sale by Solomon W. Conrad, No. 87, Kimber & Sharpless, No. 93, and John Richardson, No. 244, Market Street., Philadelphia, PA, 1819

Original publisher's beige paper wrappers. Text printed in black ink. 4 1/4" x 7." Sixteen pages, complete. Pages are clean and intact overall except for browning, a few small stains, a tiny closed tear near tail of spine on front, and light soiling. A Very Good copy. A collection of extracts from the memoirs of Caroline Elizabeth Smelt (1800-1817), a young American women who was born on December 28, 1800 in Augusta, Georgia. Text changes between the first and third person. These recollections are mostly about the solemn and trying last days of Smelt when she became afflicted with "fever" which tragically cut her life short at under 17 years of age. Text begins with the early childhood of Smelt and her apparently shy disposition and later ventures into taking dancing lessons and becoming a learned student of literature. The recollections suddenly change to a somber tone when Smelt recounts when fever swept through town and claimed the lives of many residents. She retells asking her mother to see a young dying orphaned girl who had come down with fever and who her mother had been tending to. Smelt stood vigil by the girl's side but witnessed her final moments and death from the illness which upset her greatly. Upon learning that her mother had also been afflicted by fever, Smelt describes being further distressed and feared that her mother, too, would soon pass away. Fortunately, Smelt's mother recovered. However, Smelt came down with fever soon after. Most of the pamphlet is about Smelt's deepening of her Christian faith during the throes of her affliction. Smelt describes having a completely changed outlook on life to where she committed her focus entirely to Christ and no longer feared death. She made it her mission to try and evangelize as many people as possible in however much time she had left on earth. A few extracts quote Smelt's evangelical insights and preachings to those who visited her in her room including her mother, father (a physician), other doctors, and friends. Among them, she denounced worldly knowledge and amusements, such as operas and tea parties, and wholeheartedly forwarded the concept of only pursuing that which is for God's glory. The pamphlet details the progression and at times, brief abatement, of Smelt's fever during her last days. For brief moments, it appeared she might recover. Sadly, Smelt passed away on September 21, 1817 from the illness. The end of the pamphlet eulogizes and commends Smelt as a pious woman, exemplary daughter, and upstanding individual of deep moral convictions and Christian faith.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Soft cover

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