12mo. 209pp, [7]. With a coloured engraved frontispiece and three final leaves of publisher's advertisements. Original publisher's red roan-backed marbled paper boards, ruled and lettered in gilt. Lightly rubbed. Near contemporary inked gift inscription to recto of FFEP:' Ann Eliza Clark / 1821 / Given by the Rev. / Mr. Sherriff', naive paper repairs and later ownership inscription of Blanche Matthews to verso of frontispiece, scattered spotting.

An early edition of this popular conduct of life tale first published in 1815. The 'ornaments' are revealed to be 'amiable manners and a well-regulated mind'. The Juvenile Review said of the work: '...the moral is excellent; yet we are sorry to observe that two characters are admitted, which, though they doubtless exist in society, should not be introduced in books written for children, they are, a dishonest servant, and a cruel step-mother'. The work was reprinted a further nine times by the middle of the century.

Biographical details of the author, Mary Hughes (later Robson) are scant beyond records of her prolific output. In addition to her efforts for Darton, Hughes wrote numerous pamphlets at the behest of the Christian Tract Society, of which she was made a member for life in 1813. Emigrating to Philadelphia in 1818, she was preceded by the popularity of her literary achievements (American editions of her early books for children had been published without her knowledge) and was able, with the patronage of noted philanthropist John Vaughan (1756-1841), to establish a school for young ladies.