Author: GRAHAME (James):
Title: Poems by James Grahame. In Two Volumes.
Description: London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme..., 1807. FIRST COLLECTED EDITION. 2 volumes. 12mo, 161 x 93 mms., pp. viii, 219 [220 blank]; [iv], 248, contemporary tree calf, gilt border on covers, spine ornately gilt, red morocco labels; rebacked with old spines laid down (lower portion of spine volume 1 defective). A good set, with this appealing inscription on the recto of the front free end-paper in volume 1: "Mr. Davis presents this book to Mr. Charles Allen as a Testimony of his good Conduct, during the whole of his residence at the School. June 16. 1812." It seems unlikely that this Charles Allen is Charles Manning Allen (?1799 - 1880; aka Charles Edward Stuart), the brother of John Carter Allen (?1795 - 1872, aka John Sobieski Stolberg Stuart), who pretended to be the heirs of Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Chevalier, given that good behaviour was not a feature of their youth. Grahame (1765 - 1811) was one of many whom Byron made sport with in English Bards and Scotch Reviewers. Quoting from Grahame's most successful poem, The Sabbath, Francis Jeffrey, in the Edinburgh Review in 1805 commented, "There are many other passages in the poem which bear marks of genius; but the greater part of it is written in a heavy and inelegant manner. The diction throughout is tainted with vulgarity, and there is no selection of words, images, or sentiments, to conciliate the favour of the fastidious reader."

Keywords: poems association copy literature Scottish


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