The Young Moralist

George Wright’s The Young Moralist was published by James Adlard for A. Hamilton of London in 1791. Wright collected allegorical and entertaining essays from other authors, in prose and verse designed to “implant the principles of virtue and morality in the Minds of Young Gentlemen and Ladies.” As described in his preface, Wright wanted to provides stories for youngster that would provide virtues, wisdom, and felicity, rather than the “noxious” tales found novels and romances.

The Copp Collection contains about 150 books of early American imprint and shows a wide range of reading matter typical of a New England Puritan family living in a port town. Literacy was expected of many New Englanders, as Puritan doctrine required everyone to read the Bible. The abundance of multiple Bibles, psalms, hymnodies, sermons, and morality tales reflects the Copp’s religious beliefs. Other highlights of the library include the works of Shakespeare, almanacs, historical and political texts, and travel narratives.

The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.

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