Not a pristine copy by any stretch, but well-worth preserving for its charming little back story. The present copy is signed at the head of the blank ffep, "Admiral Hoff from his wife. Feb 2/67." Then, "Both being dead, this little book is presented to Mrs. E. A. Hall, a friend of Mrs. Hoff, by the son, Command Hoff. October 13th, 1882."

This little volume was first given to Henry K. Hoff [1809-1872]. He joined the United States Navy in 1823, serving on the Porpoise in the West Indies, the Brandywine, the USS Constitution, the USS Potomac in Sumatra, and many others.

During the Civil War, he was in command of the Steam Sloop-of-War, the USS Lancaster and then promoted to Commodore in 1862. By 1867, Hoff had been promoted to Rear Admiral over the North Atlantic Squadron, etc. 

Macduff, John R. The Bow in the Cloud: And the First Bereavement. New York. Robert Carter & Brothers. 1866. 148pp.

Fair only; rear board detached, front all but. Text itself good.