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Early American novel by Hitchcock (1744-1803), a Harvard graduate, spent most of his career as pastor in Providence, RI. From 1776 to 1780 was chaplain to the Revolutionary Army; and had known George Washington, to whom dedicated this work to Martha Washington. This didactic epistolary novel is intended to depict the proper methods of raising and educating children during the early days of the American republic, with particular regard to the needs of girls and women. Volume I signed on flyleaf by 'Content Douglas' and inscribed 'Content Stewart Is my name' on rear free endpaper, with discreet embossments of the Library Company, Philadelphia, on title-page and final text-leaf and neat inked shelf numbers on verso of front free endpaper. Volume II inscribed on front free endpaper "Lucy Prescott Fay's / Presented to her by her friend / Mr. Azor G. Archbald / June 1796"; also inscribed 'Lucy Prescott Fay's' on p. [iii]; with previous inscriptions on endpaper & title-page carefully crossed out. A married set, differing slightly in height. Evans 22570. Sabin 32255.