Paul and mary an indian story
1789Best.-Nr. AQ33108London: Printed for J. Dodsley 1789. In two volumes. 3 vi-xii 191pp 1; 2 158pp. Without half-titles. Contemporary half-calf tooled in gilt and blind marbled paper boards. Rubbed some surface loss to dulled spines. Marbled endpapers armorial bookplates of Charles Barclay to both FEPs later armorial bookplates of W. Douro Hoare to both FFEPs recent bookplate of Liam Sims to verso of FFEP of Vol. I early gift inscription to front blank fly-leaf of Vol. I: 'Rachel Juliana and Caroline Barclay from their papa' blank fly-leaves of Vol. II torn away very occasional light spotting. The first English translation from the French of Jacques-Henri Bernardin De Saint Pierre's 1737-1814 popular romantic novel Paul et Virginie 1788. Set on the island colony of Mauritius the work serves as an allegory for Enlightenment France criticising the social inequalities of the state prior to the Revolution extolling the virtues of harmony between men and arguing for the emancipation of slaves. The translator of this first English edition has been widely given as Daniel Malthus father of influential economist Thomas; and although Malthus was involved in the publication the translation was actually executed by Jane Dalton d. 1817. Provenance: Charles Barclay 1780-1855 politician related to the prominent Barclay and Gurney banking dynasties cousin of social reformer Elizabeth Fry. Barclay evidently gifted the book to his two young daughters Caroline and Rachel Juliana the latter of whom married Jospeh Hoare son of educational author Louisa Gurney Hoare 1784-1836. The Barclays resided at Bury Hill House Westcott Surrey not far from The Rookery the home of the Malthus family 1768. It appears probable that Charles Barclay - or perhaps his father Robert 1751-1830 - acquired this copy due to their friendship with the Malthus clan and presumably acquaintance with Jane Dalton. Later in the library of William Douro Hoare 1862-1928 sometime Director of the Bank of England. ESTC T70721. First edition in English. 8vo. Printed for J. Dodsley hardcover
Antiquates Ltd · Vereinigtes Königreich500,00 £≈ 595,04 €
