Mosses from an Old Manse.

Nathaniel Hawthorne lived at the Old Manse in Concord with his wife. He wrote many tales there between 1842 and 1845. This volume collects those pieces along with others from the same years. Most had first appeared in magazines. Hawthorne prepared them for publication in book form. The stories examine choices and their consequences. Several draw on Puritan history or local legends. The opening essay describes the house, its garden, and the nearby river. Hawthorne chose the title to evoke the moss on the roof. The collection marks an important stage in his career.