Terrible tractoration!! A poetical petition against galvanizing trumpery, and the Perkinistic institution. In four cantos, most respectfully addressed to the Royal College of Physicians, by Christopher Caustic ... First American from the second London edition, revised and corrected by the author, with additional notes
New York: printed by Samuel Stansbury, 114 Water-Street, 1804. 12mo, pp. xxxv, [1], 192; 4 engraved plates; removed from binding; corner of half-title and corner of Canto One torn away, likely to remove an owner's signature; some spotting; text block sound. The poem that made Fessenden's literary reputation. "In February 1803 he rallied to the defense of another Yankee, Elisha Perkins, whose 'metallic tractors,' after enjoying an enormous sale, were being attacked by the reputable medical profession. Fessenden, under the alias 'Christopher Caustic, M.D., LL.D., A.S.S.,' threw together a vigorous Hudibrastic satire, Terrible tractoration!!, a pretended assault on the tractors, but actually ridiculing the most prominent of the skeptical physicians of England and Scotland. Despite it's small merit, the book was surprisingly popular, and well received in the reviews, and was several times reprinted" (DAB). McCorisin 12 [in] Papers of the BSA, March, 1995. American Imprints 6279; Rink 2064. Item #58788
Price: $100.00
