Bearing the attractive bookplate to the front pastedown of the Hasty Pudding Club Library with the ink inscription “Ex Dono Caroli Hale Class of 1850”, and the additional inscription to the front free endpaper “H.P.C. - from Charles Hale. Sep. 20. 1849.” The club was founded by members of the Harvard College Class of 1797 to “cherish the feelings of friendship and patriotism”, but over time took on a more epicurean and theatrical tone. By Hale’s time, who from the clubs 1849 records it can be ascertained held the positions of Librarian and the enigmatic office of ’ET. KP. KAI ’ESX, the Hasty Pudding Club had just started to produce the annual theatrical productions for which it became renowned, predominantly due to their featuring male members in drag.
Post-Harvard Hale went on to become a noted Boston Lawyer, Speaker to the House of Representatives, Secretary of State in the office of Hamilton Fish, and American Consul General to Egypt.
The Glide herself sailed from Salem in 1829 primarily on a whaling run. By the time she reached warmer waters however she had changed her interest to the collection of beche-de-mer, otherwise known as sea cucumbers, which when dried were a popular exotic ingredient for soups. The Glide was caught in a hurricane and driven aground somewhere around the area of Wallis Island or Fiji. Contrary to popular expectations, the native islanders treated the crew rather well, and they had ample leisure to pay close attention to the manners and cultures of their rescuers.
A scarce book with a pleasing provenance. Hill 1259
