Isaac Mitchell (1759-1812) was an American author and journalist, best known today as the author of the Gothic novel The Asylum, or Alonzo and Melissa. Contents. 1 The Asylum; 2 Personal; 3 References; 4 External links. The Asylum[edit]. The Asylum was a popular work of Gothic fiction, and has been called "the widely read, though most 19th century readers only read the second Page 1. WTDQY8FVPQIW PDF The Asylum, Or, Alonzo and Melissa: An American Tale, Founded on Fact. ON FACT. VOLUME 2 OF 2 (PAPERBACK). An American tale, Daniel Jackson, Jr. Publication Print source: Alonzo and Melissa; or, The unfeeling father. An American Page 1 - Title Page Page 2. An American tale / 1, 17, 41 and Nation, Dec. 8, 1904; Feb. 2, 1905; Feb. Year ay Puoghkeepsie, N.Y. Was published The asylum; or, Alonzo and Melissa, I. Mitchell. Alonzo and Melissa, or, The unfeeling father:a tale founded on fact. a tale founded on fact. Note: For discussion of authorship of Alonzo and Melissa see Book notes, Providence, R.I., v. 22, 1905, p. 1, 17, 41; Nation, Dec. 2, 1905, Feb. Attribution to D. Jackson cited as erroneous Bibl. Of American lit. Also, published in 1811 at Poughkeepsie as: The asylum, or, Alonzo and Melissa. Read 2 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Published in Poughkeepsie in two volumes in 1811, under the title The Asylum Showing 1-7 Or, Alonzo and Melissa: An American Tale, Founded on Fact.