ffred's nearly-forgotten treasures

In my literary ramblings, occasionally I stumble across old books that are worth reading, yet are at best available as what I term "scan-offs:" over-priced, minimally processed cheesy clones of free online resources. Not so the entries in this list: they are labors of enthusiasm. These are actual e-texts that I have carefully transcribed, spell-checked, proof-read, and published on Amazon in Kindle format.

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Last updated: 2026-08-11

• The Confessions of a Woman — by Mabel Collins.
  Dark, philosophical tale of an artist in search of truth and freedom; a masterpiece of fatalism, cynicism, and pessimism.
• Gurney Married — by Theodore Hook.
  Sequel to Gilbert Gurney: a psychological, domestic comedy of romance, fraud, impertinence, incapacity, intrigue, and cherry brandy.
• Contarini Fleming — by Benjamin Disraeli.
  Psychological journey through the life of a poetic character: a blend of romantic inspiration and self-deprecating humor.
• Her World Against a Lie — by Florence Marryat.
  Compelling feminist novel featuring a delightfully outspoken character; a tale of a lie, the consequences, and the atonement.
• Pascal Bruno — by Alexandre Dumas.
  Early sensationalist novel by Dumas, translated and edited into popular form by the author of Gilbert Gurney.
• Gilbert Gurney — by Theodore Hook.
  Comic, semi-autobiographical adventure by one of England's great humorists; a juxtaposition of romance, satire, and pratfalls.
• Suggestion — by Mabel Collins.
  A psychological Gothic novel on mesmerism as a weapon, maintaining dramatic tension through misunderstanding, desperation, and terror.
• Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus — by Alexander Pope.
  A satirical collaborative work by three English literary greats; a spoof of Classical education and philosophical folly.
• Transmigration — by Mortimer Collins.
  A three-act fantasy steeped in Victorian romantic ideals, with an entertaining admixture of anti-Darwinism and Pythagorean philosophy.
• A Sex Revolution — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  An instructional tale demonstrating how a strike of the sexes alone cannot solve the economic problems which prevent perfect motherhood.
• Morial the Mahatma — by Mabel Collins.
  A story of two clairvoyants who are summoned by an occult master; a tale of the triumph of truth and conscience over amorality.
• The Monk's Revenge — by Samuel Spring.
  Romantic historical novel based on Cardinal Julian Cesarini and his role in the breaking of the Peace of Szeged during the Crusades.
• My Century Plant — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  Eminently quotable exposition of feminist philosophy; treating on equality, justice, sex, spirituality, and freedom of motherhood.
• Giafar al Barmeki — by Samuel Spring.
  Sympathetic historical romance based on a popular legend of Harun al-Rashid and the Barmakids; purportedly praised by Edgar Allan Poe.
• Mayweed Blossoms — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  A collection of fugitive poetry and short prose: reflections on love, spirituality, and justice. Includes the classic story "Charity."
• Pastourel — by Frédéric Soulié.
  Rare English translation of a classic "Gothic" novel, rich in twists, invention, mystery, intrigue, and humor; vastly entertaining.
• The Price of Silence — by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis.
  Melodramatic story of mystery, romance, greed, racism, and blackmail, enhanced by its vivid description of Creole culture.
• Hilary St. Ives — by William Harrison Ainsworth.
  A well-crafted romantic tale of mayhem, mischief, misunderstandings, melodrama, murder, and marriage; a true Victorian treat.
• Perfect Motherhood — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  Loosely written, yet entertaining story; the central thesis being that the quality of humanity depends upon the quality of motherhood.
• The White Slave — by Charles Frederick Henningsen.
  Ground-breaking 19th-century exposé set in contemporary Russia, describing its feudalistic society; a masterpiece of humor and pathos.
• The Wire-Cutters — by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis.
  A romantic story of Louisiana and West Texas, featuring themes of psychological manipulation and its conquest by steadfast principles.
• Albert Lunel — by Henry Brougham.
  A curiously carved gem in an antique setting: rich with religious and political reflection, repartée, and a strong anti-slavery theme.
• Under the Man-Fig — by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis.
  A tale of ante- and postbellum Texas, of malicious gossip, self-deception, and tragedy, yet full of warmth, humor, heroism, and romance.
• Sixty Years Hence — by Charles Frederick Henningsen.
  Political and economic satire posing as science fiction; a prescient tale of greed, intrigue, and a nanotech plague.
• The Little Chevalier — by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis.
  Highly entertaining historical romance set in New Orleans in 1752, with a twist that begs, almost immediately, a second reading.
• Anastasius — by Thomas Hope.
  Clever, audacious, richly researched historical novel set in the Middle East during the late 1700's; a masterpiece of prose style.
• Prudence Palfrey — by Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
  Witty, entertaining tale of doomed dreams, deception, and romantic constancy, deftly combining New England satire and Western adventure.
• An Elephant's Track, and other Stories — by Mollie Evelyn Moore Davis.
  Richly painted romantic tales about life and death in postbellum Texas and Louisiana: alternately gritty, comic, tragic, and even ghostly.
• Phœbe — by Miriam Coles Harris.
  Elegant, sympathetic moral fable; a tragicomedy of errors that delves deep into the internal misfortunes of miscommunication.
• John Maribel — by Maria Darrington-Deslonde.
  Delightfully well-crafted melodramatic tale, replete with heroes, villains, tragic victims, and a happy ending. Break out the popcorn.
• The Sutherlands — by Miriam Coles Harris.
  Historical novel set in 18th century New York Catskills; a tragic tale of slavery, romance, religious devotion, and brutal murder.
• The Miller of Silcott Mill — by Maria Darrington-Deslonde.
  Impeccably civilized, yet observant, this novel of the Deep South examines love, scandal, crime, and class (both real and affected).
• So very Human — by Alfred Bate Richards.
  "A Tale of the Present Day" indeed; a cornucopia of life in the social strata of Victorian England. Are things so very different today?
• The City of the Jugglers, and Other Stories — by William North.
  Satire of capitalism and commentary on intellectual enlightenment, social justice, universal (male) suffrage, and journalistic integrity.
• Tales and Fables — by François Fénelon.
  Written to entertain and instruct a young prince on such topics as morality, industry, justice, and avoidance of hypocrisy.
• The Albigenses — by Charles Maturin.
  Historical novel set during the 13th century Albigensian Crusade: a tale of superstition, bigotry, rapacity, and revenge.
• Helen Harlow's Vow — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  Inspirational exposition on questioning and overcoming social injustice through personal strength and conviction; a feminist classic.
• The Nazarene and Adonai — by George Lippard.
  Lippard's unfinished sequel to The Quaker City, paired with his most developed exposition on religion, social justice, and revolution.
• Adventures of Telemachus — by François Fénelon, .
  Written privately to instruct a future monarch, yet tremendously popular when published; a masterpiece of moral and political commentary.
• Washington and his Generals — by George Lippard.
  Popular and influential reverent romance, a sensationalist blend of fact and fiction posing as a representation of actual history.
• The Quaker City — by George Lippard.
  Controversial Gothic "dreadful," an outrageous tale of lust, corruption, and violence; America's best-selling novel at the time.
• The Virginia Comedians — by John Esten Cooke.
  Historical romance set in the hard-partying, chivalric, silk-and-velvet days of colonial Virginia, rose-tinted glasses included.
• The Money-Maker, and Other Tales — by Jane C. Campbell.
  Strait-laced but worthy collection of fables on the follies of vice and conspicuous consumption and the virtues of quiet domestic life.
• Wensley, and Other Stories — by Edmund Quincy.
  Immaculate, scholarly, sympathetic, and reverently humorous, these tales speak vividly of times and persons nearly forgotten when written.
• Zoë, or the Quadroon's Triumph — by Elizabeth D. Livermore.
  Ostensibly a tale of racism, more accurately a treatise on feminism and Unitarianism; long-winded at times, but has enjoyable moments.
• Virginia in a Novel Form — by Rebecca Brodnax Hicks.
  Short, sweet, clever, delightful confection. A witty domestic comedy of life in the Old Dominion, almost worthy of Oscar Wilde.
• Working a Passage, and Other Stories — by Charles Frederick Briggs.
  Anthology of novellas and short works, including Working a Passage, Asmodeus, and selections from The Knickerbocker and Putnam's Monthly.
• The Wherefore Investigating Company — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  An enjoyable progressive story, examining themes of land laws and their abuses, marriage, inheritance, slavery, racism, and capitalism.
• Nothing Like It — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  Radical, high-spirited, thought-provoking account of warriors against injustice; notable as an early depiction of the Social Gospel.
• Alice Vale — by Lois Waisbrooker.
  Didactic, melodramatic, eye-rolling at times, yet delightfully lambastic treatment of contemporary society.
• The Second Son — by Margaret Oliphant and Thomas Bailey Aldrich.
  Sometimes genteel, sometimes brutal, an ironic jab at conventions of sex, class, and inheritance in Victorian England.
• Jamie Parker, the Fugitive — by Emily Clemens Pearson (as Emily Catharine Pierson).
  Published before Uncle Tom's Cabin, but not as widely-read; a rough, fiery, unabashed piece of abolitionist muck-raking.
• The Adventures of Private Miles O'Reilly — by Charles G. Halpine.
  Rare, surviving example of military humor dating from the Civil War; a satire of wartime bureaucracy, politics, and corruption.
• The History of Rinaldo Rinaldini — by Christian August Vulpius.
  Infamous, yet tremendously popular during the early 1800's, widely imitated, just as quickly forgotten; a premier example of pulp fiction.
• Bankrupt Stories — by Charles Frederick Briggs.
  Dickensesque, sordid, sardonic tale of fraud, murder, deception, and dissolution, set in the markets of antebellum New York City.
• Hannah Thurston — by Bayard Taylor.
  Dry and satirical, intelligent, yet unabashedly Victorian romance, set in upstate New York; an amusing, guilty pleasure.
• Widow Spriggins, and Other Sketches — by Frances M. Whitcher.
  Companion volume to the hilarious classic Widow Bedott, containing earlier and later works, including the poignant, unfinished Mary Elmer.
• Up the River — by Frederick W. Shelton
  Gently humorous and engaging sketches of life in the Hudson River valley in the early 1850's: a collage of joys, irritants, and chickens.
• Neal's Charcoal Sketches — by Joseph C. Neal.
  Comprehensive compilation of character sketches from one of America's earliest, foremost, yet all-but-forgotten urban humorists.
• The Sparrowgrass Papers — by Frederic S. Cozzens.
  Amusing anecdotes of an 1850's family moving from the city to a house in the country.
• The Attorney — by John Treat Irving, Jr.
  Enticing, gritty, melodramatic novel of crime in the mean streets of antebellum Manhattan; not flawless, but worthwhile.
• The Widow Bedott Papers — by Frances M. Whitcher.
  Priceless conversational sketches of Yankee characters and their foibles; a hilarious though sometimes unsettling social commentary.
• The Trippings of Tom Pepper — by Charles Frederick Briggs.
  Epic serial satire of antebellum New York, notorious for its unflattering depiction of the literary scene, and other aspects of urban life.
• A Knickerbocker Anthology — by Various Authors
  Compilation of noteworthy short prose pieces published in the Knickerbocker Magazine between 1851 and 1861.
• The Van Gelder Papers — by John Treat Irving, Jr.
  Collection of mixed humorous and tragic short stories of Knickerbocker country, by a nephew of Washington Irving.
• The Hive of the "Bee-Hunter" — by Thomas Bangs Thorpe.
  Easy-going, fast-shooting antecedent of Mark Twain; an entertaining collection of essays and tales of the Southwest frontier.
• The Slave of the Lamp — by William North.
  Influential forerunner of New York's Bohemian literary movement: romantic, bathetic, yet fiercely devoted to intellectual liberty.
• Temple House — by Elizabeth Stoddard.
  Psychological, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining character study, warts and all: a significant predecessor of modern literature.
• Two Men — by Elizabeth Stoddard.
  Ahead of its time: a brilliant, unflinching dissection of a uniquely Yankee view of human pride, romance, and racial prejudice.
• The Knickerbocker Gallery — by Lewis Gaylord Clark.
  A feast of short works, many by writers still famous today, in tribute to the editor of the monthly literary magazine of the early 1800's.
• The Adventures of Harry Franco — by Charles Frederick Briggs.
  Delightful, satirical depiction of Manhattan life and nautical merchants during the 1830's, notable as an early Abolitionist literary work.
• The Adventures of Gil Blas de Santillane — by Alain René Lesage.
  First English translation of a widely influential French comic classic: a prototype of the naif and his adversities in the human jungle.
• Modern Chivalry — by H. H. Brackenridge.
  One of the earliest, yet often overlooked, U.S. novels: a hilarious picture of politics in Pennsylvania during the Whiskey Rebellion.
• Krilof and his Fables — by Ivan Krylov.
  First English prose translation of Russia's celebrated fabulist, whose works were often political, satirical, penetrating, and elegant.

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