Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of buckish slang, university wit, and pickpocket eloquence. Compiled originally by Captain Grose. And now considerably altered and enlarged, with the modern changes and improvements by a member of The Whip Club. Assisted by Hell-Fire Dick, and James Gordon.

(GROSE, Francis) (CLARK, Hewson, ed.)

Published by Printed for C. Chappel, &c. 1811, 1811

About this Item

Occasional light spotting. Bound without half title in contemp. half green calf, gilt spine, maroon morocco label; leading hinge & head & tail of spine sl. rubbed, corners a little bumped. Armorial bookplate of William Turton on leading pastedown. A nice copy. Reprinted with additions from Francis Grose's Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, first published in 1785. Although Cohn (486) records this title as having a frontispiece by Cruikshank, it is probable that it was sometimes dressed up with the caricature from the 1812 reissue. Copac records only two entries (of 11) with frontispieces and, unlike the 1812 reissue by Jones (which advertises that it is 'embellished with an original caricature', there is no mention of an illustration on the titlepage. The merit of Captain Grose's Dictionary has been long and universally acknowledged. But its circulation was confined almost exclusively to the lower orders of society: he was not aware. that our young men of fashion would at no very distant period be as distinguished for the vulgarity of their jargon as the inhabitants of Newgate. but without the aid of our additional definitions, neither the cits of Fish-street, nor the boors of Brentford would be able to attain the language of whippism.'. Seller Inventory # 79383

Bibliographic Details

Title: Lexicon Balatronicum. A Dictionary of ...

Publisher: Printed for C. Chappel, &c. 1811

Publication Date: 1811

Binding: Hardcover