THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF THE REV. RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM. AUTHOR OF INGOLDSBY LEGENDS: WITH A SELECTION OF HIS MISCELLANEOUS POEMS BY HIS SON. In Two Volumes.

TWO VOLUMES. FIRST EDITION. 8vo. 7.75 x 5.5 inches. Vol. I, vii + [i] + 315 pp.; Vol. II, v + [i] + 336 pp. Bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards; spines in compartments with raised bands, decorated gilt, with contrasting maroon morocco title labels, gilt. Marbled endpapers. All edges marbled. Top edge sunned and some foxing of flyleaves and preliminaries, including plate, and of last few pages; otherwise a very good set. Armourial bookplates of Thomas F. Ravenshaw. Illustrated by portrait frontispiece (Vol. I). Decorated by publisher's devices on title pages. The scarce and very entertaining biographical memoir of the author of Ingoldsby Legends by his son, The Reverend Richard Harris Dalton Barham (1815-86). His father, Rev. Richard Harris Barham (1788-45) Barham, Church of England clergyman, was born in Canterbury, a knowledge of Kentish legends being developed during his residences as a curate in Ashford and Westwell, and subsequently in the livings of Snargate and Warehorne, until he moved to London in 1821. He knew the smugglers and country folk, and listened to their tales, some of which were to emerge in the 'Legends'. Barham was also a friend of other novelists and writers of his day and many letters to them are reprinted here. His life sheds much light on Kent in this period. The poems are included in this first edition. KENT BIOGRAPHY LITERATURE- NON-FICTION KENT EAST KENT BIOGRAPHY- CORRESPONDENCE KENT.…