A very RARE and beautiful and interesting book written by Mabel Sharman Crawford and published by Bentley in 1863..."Through Algeria". An extremely rare, rather scarce, early publication by an Irish Woman Traveller in Africa who also lived and helped through the Irish Famine and was not only an early Feminist but also one of the first members of the Suffragette Movement. Includes, for example, the following: Traits of Moorish Life / The Maraboo / Beautiful Koubba of Sidi Boumedian / Koleah / Kabyle and Arab Contrasted / A Saharian Scene / Algerian Colonisation / Garden at Salah Bey etc. An interesting book on French-ruled Algeria, during reign of Napoleon III, by a female traveller. 'Through Algeria' is prefaced by a seven- page "Plea for lady tourists," in which Crawford argued passionately for the right of female travellers to travel without male comapny. She witheringly dimisses the era's social mores that prohibited women from fully following thier own paths and dreams in life: "[I]f the exploring of foreign lands is not the highest end or the most useful occupation of feminine existence, it is at least more improving, as well as more amusing, than the crochet-work or embroidery with which, at home, so many ladies seek to beguile the tedium of their unoccupied days." Crawford's name does not appear on the title page; instead "Author of 'Life In Tuscany'" is written. This exemplifies the conventional practice of female authors at the time to write under male pseudonyms or publish anonymously. Book in good condition. Inside clean and complete, externally original cloth with light wear around edges and corners, shelfwear. Spine reattached and a bit sunned but pages secure. Light foxing on last pages and on colour frontis on margins. Uncommon. Scarce.