Between the Covers

Softcover. Handwritten manuscript with multiple corrections. 26 leaves bradbound at the top written on the rectos only, with one blank leaf with a clipping about the dedication affixed on the last leaf. Small nicks and tears mostly confined to the title leaf, creases on the last blank leaf, a little soiling on the outside leaves, else near fine. The handwritten introduction indicates that this was prepared by the author from memory two days after the event.

The contents of the address are facetious and satiric, making much merriment at the expense of the members of the Club, and lampooning their athletic endeavors, their accuracy as riflemen, their failures at sailing, polo, and other events. One particularly noteworthy passage addresses the possible invasion of the area by Canadians: "If our liberties should be threatened by the fierce and ruthless tramps, or any of the 'Macks' of Montreal should cross the borders and come with their clans and bagpipes, the glorious Oriflamme of the Mt. Mansfield Rifle Club would always be seen in the front ranks of every retreat - the shimmer of their rifles would flash on the highest eminence of every mountain where they would watch the movements of the invading foe... ." He continues on, ranking the skills of the three socially prominent members who would later in the ceremony participate in a shooting exhibition.

Cogshill, then living in New York, had an interesting life as an important merchant born in Virginia of a distinguished family. He worked in a local store in Loyds, Viriginia and then lived at the home of his uncle Richard Garrett, at New Town, where some years later, John Wilkes Booth fled after his assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and where he was found and killed by Federal troops. (Coghill's 1897 book *The Family of Coghill. 1377 to 1879* presents an interesting interview that he conducted with his uncle about the event). In 1848 he sailed for California, and after modest results set up in business in San Francisco as J.H. Coghill & Co., eventually considered one of the two largest commercial concerns in San Francisco. In 1857 he left the firm in the care of his brothers and went east to open a New York branch of the company.

His family had some familial connections with the nearby Henry family in Virginia, and at least for purposes of this oration, he claimed lineage, perhaps facetiously, from that other famous orator, Patrick Henry. A wonderfully funny send-up of a Vermont hunting club, delivered by an interesting character.

Item #416327