Situation of England in 1811

Though the original of this work was written in French, this edition was translated into English by an anonymous ‘citizen of the United States,’ as stated on the title page.  The publisher was Cornelius S. Van Winkle of New York, who also published Washington Irving’s “Sketchbook,” (and for whom Irving named the character Rip Van Winkle). Written during the Napoleonic Wars, this book covers topics related to finance, foreign relations and commercial policy in England.

The front cover contains two bookplates: one, William Bard’s, illustrated with the family coat of arms, and another indicating that this was one of the books given to St. Stephen’s College by his son, John Bard. The title page is also signed by William Bard. A trustee of Columbia University, and a lawyer by training, William was more interested in scholarship and book collecting than in law.  William was also an early and avid believer in the benefits to women and children afforded by the presence of life insurance, and as such he was one of the founders of the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company.