A bound volume of eight pamphlets or books relating to war and global affairs, published at the height of the Napoleonic Wars
London, J. Hatchard (unless otherwise noted), 1803 to 1808.
Octavo; later half calf and buckram a little unevenly sunned; edges a little inkstained (encroaching into the blank leading margins in places, mainly in the first and last items); scattered light foxing; light tidemark to the top corner of some leaves in the first two items; minor loss to the bottom inner corner of the first title leaf; overall in excellent condition.
The disruption in Europe caused by the rise of Napoleon is naturally the principal theme, but the volume also contains a very early account of the Haitian Revolution, extolling the heroism of the recently deceased Toussaint Louverture, and an early work on Irish Catholic emancipation. (1) [WARD, Robert Plumer]: 'An Enquiry into the Manner in which the Different Wars in Europe have commenced, during the last Two Centuries, to which are added the Authorities upon the Nature of a Modern Declaration' (J. Butterworth and J. Stockdale, 1805; [ii], 72 pages). (2) HINCKLEY, John (translator): 'An Accurate Account of the Fall of the Republic of Venice ... in which the French System of undermining and revolutionizing States is exposed; and the True Character of Buonaparte faithfully pourtrayed' (1804; xii, 287 pages). (3) [PELTIER, Jean-Gabriel]: 'The Empire of Germany divided into Departments, under the Prefecture of the Elector of *****. To which is prefixed, A Memoir of the Political and Military State of the Continent' (E. Harding, 1803; xvi, 65 pages). (4) [STEPHEN, James]: 'Buonaparte in the West Indies: or, the History of Toussaint Louverture, the African Hero' (1803 - in three parts, respectively third, first and third editions - 16, 16 and 16 pages). (5) MELANCTHON [O'BEIRNE, Thomas]: 'A Letter to Dr. Troy, Titular Archbishop of Dublin, on the Coronation of Bonaparte by Pope Pius the Seventh' (corrected edition, 1805; 97 pages). (6) 'Additional Papers relative to the Discussion with Spain, in 1803 and 1804' [Part II only] (John Stockdale, 1805; viii, 85-164 pages). (7) 'An Argument upon the Justice and Expediency of the Order issued by Government, for the detaining All Ships bound to the Ports of Spain, freighted with Treasure or Warlike Stores' (John Stockdale, 1805; 63 pages). (8) CEVALLOS, Pedro: 'An Exposure of the Arts and Machinations which lead to the Usurpation of the Crown of Spain, and of the Means pursued by Bonaparte to carry his Views into effect, to which are annexed Documents to substantiate every Assertion' (J.J. Stockdale, 1808, new revised edition; viii, 128 pages). Provenance: John Hector 9/48 (in ink at the head of the first title page) - possibly John Hector, c.1788-1863, an accountant who arrived in South Australia 'by 1848'); Thomas Doyle, North Adelaide, September 28th 1866 (in ink on a retained early binder's blank) - probably Thomas Doyle, 1834-1913, the Irish-born 'Policeman, Prison Guard, Publican' who arrived in South Australia before April 1856 (when he was married in Adelaide). [Genealogical information obtained with thanks from the 'Biographical Index of South Australians, 1836-1885'].
Item #114436
Price (AUD):
$1,250.00