Letters on Paraguay: Comprising an Account of a Four Years' Residence in That Republic, Under the Government of the Dictator Francia

London: John Murray, 1838 Book. Fine. Hardcover. 2 volumes. First edition. Pp. xxvii, [1], 359 + x, [2], 342. Engraved frontis portrait, engraved frontis plate, hand-colored folding map. Newly bound in three-quarter maroon leatherette over boards, gilt-lettered spine. A fine and generally clean set. This work is based on a number of years' residence and travel in the regions drained by the 'Paraguay' and the 'Rio de la Plata'. The work contains some striking descriptions of the state of the country and of the curious events that were taking place. The 'Letters...' were popular in their day, and left a strong impression upon popular opinion (extracted from Larned). A second edition was published a year later which contained a third volume titled, "Francia's Reign of Terror." The hand-colored folding map is titled, "The Republic of Paraguay and the Adjacent Countries with the Courses of the Rivers Paraguay, Parana, & La Plata." The authors were merchants of long experience in the Plata; their 'letters' are a standard source for Francia's regime.[Larned: 4087; Sabin: 71963]..