Berkeley the Banker, or Bank Notes and Bullion. A Tale for the Times. 2 vols - mixed set.

Hartford, Connecticut: S. Andrus & Son, 1845 228pp; 191pp. Hard cover, 24mo (3 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches) in mismatched olive and brown original publisher's cloth, with covers blindstamped, and matching titles in gilt to spine. Originally published as part of the work "Illustrations of Political Economy" (1834), the novel portrays the free-market economics of Adam Smith as it affects the lives of ordinary people. The British author, Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), was forced to learn about finance from the age of 27, when her family's textile business failed, and she had to, in her words, "truly live instead of vegetate". She was a pioneering female sociologist, and an atheist - surely she was the Ayn Rand of her time? *** Fun fact: Harriet's sister, Rachel, ran her own Unitarian Academy, which had as one of its students the artist Hilary Bonham Carter, an ancestor of the actress Helena Bonham Carter. *** Condition: Mixed set. Vol. I is from dated 1845 and Vol. II is dated 1843 and is ex-library. Both show foxing throughout and minor wear to covers. Sadleir says (p. 251) this was first issued in 1833 as part of a series in wraps called "Illustrations of Political Economy." . Hard Cover. Good.