Up and down California in 1860-1864 the journal of William H. Brewer, Professor of Agriculture in the Sheffield Scientific School from 1864 to 1903 edited by Francis P. Farquhar ... with a preface by Russell H. Chittenden. New Haven: Yale University Press. London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1930. 23x15.4 cm, pp. [1-2: blank] [i-vii] viii [ix] x [xi] xii-xiv [xv] xvi- xxx [1-3] 4-601 [602-604: blank], 62 illustrations on 32 inserted plates, 1 inserted folded map, original blue cloth, spine panel stamped in gold, top edge trimmed, fore-edge untrimmed, bottom edge rough cut. First edition. Brewer's journal, written as a series of letters to his brother Edgar, provides the best contemporary account of the activities of the California Geological Survey in the High Sierra. Brewer, the first Survey staff member selected by J. D. Whitney, was engaged to serve as "Principal Assistant, in Charge of Botanical Department," a position reflecting Brewer's background in the agricultural sciences. As administrative duties kept Whitney out of the field much of the time, Brewer, as principal assistant, led the field parties. He quickly proved himself a versatile and skilled leader. In 1863 and 1864 Survey parties directed by Brewer performed the first systematic exploration of the central and southern High Sierra. Brewer's letters describing the day-to-day progress of the Survey's field parties are notable for their accurate observations and veracity. Together with the matter-of-fact scientific reports of Whitney and the more dramatic literary recollections of Clarence King, Brewer's straightforward and unabridged record documents a major period of exploration in the Sierra. Cowan (1933), pp. 70-71. Howes B754. Rocq (1970) 16701. Robinson 2. Zamorano Eighty 9. Provenance: Inscribed by the editor on the front free endpaper: "For Lloyd W. Currey / with the regards of the editor / Francis P. Farquhar." A bright, nearly fine copy in very good pictorial dust jacket with light wear along top and bottom edges, some tanning to spine panel, several light stains to spine panel, and small chip from lower fore-edge corner of front panel. Printed price clipped from front flap. (#167920).
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