A joke letter; at end is added: "From such examples as of this and that, we are all taught to know - I know not what"., In this edition the title is in two lines; the first line reads "William having received a letter"; the last two paragraphs are set in smaller type than the rest, clearly in order to fit the page., First line: "Sir. William having received a letter", In two columns with the title centered above both; the columns are not separated by rules. In this edition the title is in two lines., Oliver Puzzle-cause is a pseudonym., Below signature in second column: Price three half-pence., Mounted on leaf 59. Copy trimmed., and Bound in three-quarters red morocco leather with marbled boards, with spine title stamped in gold: Old English ballads, woodcuts, vol. 3.
Manuscript, in a single hand, in the style of The Spectator for year 1768. The volume's contents are primarily tongue-in-cheek, including a dedication to Nobody; a narrative autobiography of a flea; advice to readers; and a discussion on the art of punning. The volume also records, with primarily satirical intent, the letters sent to the editor, including one by a woman who believes herself the subject of an entry in the Spectator. Other topics include a meditation on the sufferings of Christ on the cross and a translation of an ancient Persian manuscript titled History of Abdullah. Numerous entries are dated from Kings College, Cambridge
Description:
In English., In faint ink on title page: Transcribed for the Author., Pasted on p. 1: elaborate printed border., Armorial bookplate of William Horatio Crawford, Lakelands, Cork., and Binding: full red morocco with gilt decoration. In gilt on spine over green morocco: Pumice Mundus. Paucis osendi gemit. The Speculator.
Subject (Geographic):
England.
Subject (Topic):
English wit and humor, Periodicals, and Religious literature, English
Signatures: [A]⁶(-A1) a⁶ B-L⁶ M⁴(-M4) [$3 signed (-B2,3)]., Supposed to have been composed by Jack Harris, waiter at the Shakespeare's-Head, and edited by S. Derrick. First ed. 1760. Cf. Lowndes (who says "Benjamin" Harris); H.W. Bleackley., and With H.W. Bleackley's ms. notes.
Publisher:
Printed for H. Ranger, near Temple-Bar
Subject (Geographic):
England
Subject (Topic):
English wit and humor, Prostitution, Almanacs, English, and Sex