Il lampionaio

by Maria S. (Maria Susanna) Cummins

"Il lampionaio" by Maria S. Cummins is a sentimental novel published in 1854. The story follows Gertrude Flint, an abandoned orphan rescued at age eight by Trueman Flint, a lamplighter, from her abusive guardian. Raised with love and taught virtues and religious faith, Gertrude grows into a moralistic woman whose long suffering is ultimately rewarded. An immediate bestseller, the novel sold over 40,000 copies in eight weeks and became one of the most popular works of its era.