HUGH HENRY BRACKENRIDGE: Modern Chivalry - abridged

HUGH HENRY Modern Chivalry - abridged Based on “Second Edition Since the Author’s Death” text, published at Pittsburgh from 1846 to 1857. From NOTE ON THE TEXT. "Though worthwhile attempts have been made in more recent decades to recreate such, there really is no properly definitive version of Modern Chivalry (1792-1815). The text went through several revisions during the author’s life and it is only reasonable to conclude the whole was technically unfinished at the time of his passing in 1816. Our present version primarily relies on the 1846-1857 “Posthumous Second Edition;” which is much better organized, and to that extent is significantly more coherent than the original, and which latter at times in its jumbled appearance seems (unintentionally?) almost to suggest something like 'Tristram Shandy.' "Although the 'Posthumous Second Edition' does omit a quantity of material to an extent that purists will understandably, and perhaps rightly, object to its over all accuracy and fulfillment with the author’s higher intent, the reformed result nevertheless has the distinct advantage of making the work considerably more accessible and digestible to non-formal scholars and general audiences; while, at minimum, maintaining the gist and spirit of the jumble Brackenridge left us with. "In addition, and to aid reference and for those interested both in more correct citations and or delving further, each chapter head of this present edition includes a citation of where the 'First' edition or original text can be found; with the understanding that the same first edition passage was or may have been revised and updated in the 1815 and 1819 versions. Further, on a few rare and odd occasions, original material editorially deleted in the 'Posthumous Second Edition;' in at least a small effort to restore the more complete text..." LIBRARY OF EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE #10 (text updated 11 April 2022.)