Popular Opinions, or A Picture of Real Life (Signed copy)

A rarity of 19th century Scottish verse, this copy inscribed by the author to literary critic Sir Francis Jeffrey

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, hardback bound in the original paper covered boards with remnants of paper title label to spine. 23 × 14.5cm, 108pp.

This copy has been inscribed in verse by the author to Francis Jeffrey (1773–1850), a Scottish judge and literary critic. "To Francis Jeffrey, Esq, Advocate. Great champion of literature and law, / The weavers' friend, the tyrants' awe! / If my attempt thy notice draw, / Me to review / With mercy wield thy critic paw / Learn'd Sir, adieu. [from] An Operative Weaver, Glasgow, 6th May, 1812"

Full title: Popular Opinions, or A Picture of Real Life, Exhibited in A Dialogue Between a Scotish Farmer and a Weaver, to which is added, An Epistle from the Farmer to Elizabeth Hamilton, author of The Cottagers of Glenburnie. In Scotish Verse.

A rarity of Scottish verse. The dialogue is between Geordie, a weaver, and Andrew, a farmer, on the hardships of working life in Scotland. The dialogue runs to page 65, followed by A Weaver's Song, Verses on Campsie Fells, Bawsie's Dying Words—A Fable, The Guidwife of Guilston—A Tale. These is followed by an epistle from the farmer (named Andrew Clover) to the Scottish essayist, poet, satirist and novelist, Elizabeth Hamilton, and finally The Farmer's Address to Sleep.

Condition

The boards are heavily rubbed to the edges with age-related wear and marking. The pages are untrimmed and a little foxed and tanned. The front joint is starting to show wear but remains well attached. The book remains in good readable condition.

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