Early American Gothic Novel.- [Brown (Charles Brockden)] Ormond; of the Secret Witness, first edition, publisher's advertisement f at rear., lacking final blank, title and publisher's advertisement laid down, title with portion of loss slightly affecting 'Secret' and ink ownership inscriptions, dedication f. repaired at head, occasional restorations at gutter, occasional chips and short tears to fore-margin, sometimes into text, occasional light surface staining, browning, modern green crushed morocco, black morocco labels to spine, slight browning to spine, 8vo, [BAL, 1497; ESTC W19774; Evans 35245], New York, G.Forman, for H.Caritat, 1799.

⁂ A rare and influential dark romance based in post-Revolutionary Philadelphia. The novel explores Enlightenment-era themes of Republicanism, women's rights, and public health in the early American nation, in a Gothic context of murder, mayhem, and seduction. Brown's works are great examples of early American Gothic literature; he had influenced other renowned writers, such as Edgar Allan Poe and Percy Shelley.