POEMS. BY THE LATE JOSIAS LYNDON ARNOLD, ESQ; OF ST. JOHNSBURY (VERMONT) FORMERLY OF PROVIDENCE, AND A TUTOR IN RHODE-ISLAND COLLEGE.

Providence: Carter and Wilkinson,, 1797.. With Interesting Rhode Island Provenance First edition of this posthumously published collection of poems and "[t]he first volume of verse ever published by a resident of Vermont," this copy with interesting provenance to a member of a prominent Rhode Island family (Coates). The text includes an introduction by James Burrill, Jr., who edited this posthumous collection from Arnold's papers and periodical publications. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Josiah Lyndon Arnold (1768–1796) earned degrees at both Dartmouth and Yale and served as a tutor at Rhode Island College (later Brown University) before settling in Vermont in the winter of 1791/2 after the death of his father. There he practiced law and served two terms in the legislature. He died in 1796, still in his early 30s, and this volume is credited with being the first volume of verse by a Vermont poet. The editor was, however, somewhat careless, as in addition to Arnold's imitations of Horace and Ossian, assorted epitaphs and elegies, and "The Warrior's Death Song," he included Freneau's "The Last Words of Shalum; - or, The Dying Indian" on pp. 46-9. This copy bears the ink ownership inscription of Nathaniel G. Olney on the titlepage and on pp.[v] and [13]. Nathaniel Greene Olney (1780–1819) was a descendent of Thomas Olney, one of the original proprietors—along with Roger Williams—of Providence, Rhode Island. Nathaniel followed his father and grandfather into the family business, operating the family's paper mill on the outskirts of Providence in partnership with his brother from 1800 to 1809, before leaving the business in 1810 to focus on running his store in town (Bidwell). 12mo. Modern morocco, gilt. Text tanned, with light occasional foxing, and some soiling to a few pages. Fore-edge of preliminary blank and half-title chipped, without loss of text. Closed tears to fore-edge of several leaves, some touching text, all without loss. Old tape repairs to upper corner of p.23 and to gutters of pp.93, 82, and blank verso of p.141. Contemporary ink ownership inscription of Nathaniel G. Olney to titlepage, p.[v], and p.[13]. About very good. EVANS 31753. SABIN 2074. WEGELIN 7. STODDARD & WHITESELL 564. GILMAN, p.15. ESTC W2477. John Bidwell, American Paper Mills, 1690–1832 (Hanover, NH: Dartmouth College Press, 2013), pp.166-68. Walter John Coates, A Bibliography of Vermont Poetry and Gazetteer of Vermont Poets, Volume 1 (Montpelier: Vermont Historical Society, 1942), p.10.