Author: SHENSTONE (William):
Title: The Works in Verse and Prose, of William Shenstone, Esq. The Fifth Edition [volumes 1 and 2]. A New Edition [volume 3].
Description: London: Printed for J. Dodsley..., 1777. 3 volumes. Small 8vo, 180 x 125 mms., pp. 332 [333 - 334 Contents]; vii [viii blank], 345 [346 blank], viii, 360, engraved frontispiece and engraved title-page in volumes 1 and 2, engraved tail-piece in volume 1, folding engraved plan of The Leasowes at page 287 in volume 2, attractively bound in contemporary lightly mottled calf, gilt border roll on covers, spine ornately gilt to a bird and cup balanced on urn motif, represent in three separate panels on each spine, red and olive morocco labels; bookplate crudely removed from front paste-down end-paper of each volume, front joint volume 1 slightly cracked, top of spine volume 1 very slightly chipped, upper rear joint volume 2 very slightly chipped, but generally a fine and attractive set, with ornaments that resemble those used by Scott of Edinburgh, with the contemporary autograph of F or T Pope on the top margin of each title-page. Shenstone (1714 - 1763) is little read, or likely to be read, these days, but Samuel Johnson had some praise for some of his poems, concluding his remarks in The Lives of the Poets, by saying, "The general recommendation of Shenstone is easiness and simplicity; his general defect is want of comprehension and variety. Had his mind been better stored with knowledge, whether he could have been great, I know not; he could certainly have been agreeable."

Keywords: binding poetry literature


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