Author: SMOLLETT (Tobias):
Title: The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves. Cooke's Edition. Two Volumes in One. Embellished with Superb Engravings.
Description: London: Printed for C. Cooke..., no date, [1793]. 2 volumes in 1. 12mo (in 6s), 140 x 80 mms., pp. 260 (pagination continuous through both volumes), engraved frontispiece (pulling loose at lower inner margin) to volume 1, 2 other engraved plates, dated 1793, by Hawkins after Corbould, contemporary calf, gilt spine, black leather label; text spotted and stained, front joint cracked and tender. A so-so copy. As I am accountable for a couple of commentaries on some of Smollett's novels, I am irresistibly reminded of the one-sentence notice of the 1762 first edition in book form in The Monthly Review: "Better than the common Novels, but unworthy the pen of Dr. Smollet [sic]." It received a longer review in The Critical Review, where the reviewer referred to it as an "ingenious little piece," comparing it to Cervantes' work. The characters of Sir Launcelot and Crabshaw were delightful, "Nor are [they] the only portraits on which this author hath lavished the powers of genius..., and some others, are truly characteristical, and demonstrative of the genuine humour, satirical talents, and benevolent heart of the writer." That Smollett was one of the editors of The Critical Review might have had something to do with this analysis.

Keywords: fiction quixotic literature


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