Windle, Mary J., LIFE IN WASHINGTON, AND LIFE HERE AND THERE. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1859.  1st ed. brown cloth hardcover with gilt titling on spine [original binding], ex private lib [Mathews Free Library of Valley Forge], 12mo (4.75 x 7.375"), very good / n.a., xii, 384 pp., light rubbing to corners and head and tail of spine, very light spotting and soiling occasionally through text, nearly all near the edge of the pages, small 1/4" hole in front free flyleaf (see photo), small label at bottom center of spine, ex lib bookplate on front paste-down from Mathew's Free Library of Valley Forge, no other card pockets or other identification present.

 MARY J. WINDLE.  (The Female Prose Writers of America  (1852)  by John Seely Hart)

Mary Jane Windle was born at Wilmington, February 16th, 1825, of respectable parents, but had the misfortune to lose her father when in early infancy. Being thus deprived of an affectionate husband, the mother of Miss Windle, with an interesting and helpless family, was thrown upon the world, dependent entirely upon her individual exertions for support. The subject of our sketch early evinced a fondness for letters, and in spite of ill health and the difficulties of her position, made herself well acquainted with modern polite literature. Of a romantic, confiding disposition, great sweetness of temper, and refinement of manner, Miss Windle has attached to herself “troops of friends,” who have watched with interest her progress in public favour.

     Possessed, in addition to her other accomplishments, of fine conversational ability, she renders her associations not only agreeable, but most useful; and it is to be strongly desired, that she may be spared to her friends long enough to fulfil the promise of a career so brilliantly commenced.

Truth and Fancy (1850)

Legend of the Waldenses, and Other Tales (1852)

Life at White Sulphur Springs, or Pictures of a Pleasant Summer (1857)

Life in Washington and Life Here and There (1859)

 Mrs. Windle lived in South Carolina and was travelling at the time of her journey outlined in Life in Washington.  She provides a very clear window into the state of women, politics, and society in the year before the American Civil War broke out.  Quite the distinctive book by a very distinctive lady.