THE MINSTREL; OR, THE PROGRESS OF GENIUS: In Two Parts. With Some Other Poems. By James Beattie, Ll.D. With Designs by Mr.Thurston: and engraved on Wood by Mr. Clennel.

12mo. 6.75 x 4 inches. viii + [11] - 142 + [2] pp. Pagination is irregular, including misnumbering of last page. Bound in contemporary leather with gilt margins on boards; spine in compartments with contrasting red title label, gilt. Some age related wear to extremities, including corners and upper spine joint starting to crack. Scattered foxing, but otherwise a very good copy. Illustrated by 6 wood engraved plates paginated in text. Decorated by tailpiece vignettes. James Beattie (1735-1803) was a Scottish poet and philosopher, who served as professor of Moral Philosophy at Marischal College, Aberdeen, 1760-97. The Minstrel, a narrative biographical verse, is his best known work and appeared in numerous editions from its first publication in two parts, in 1771 and 1774. There were several variants of this Alnwick edition, printed by William Davison (1780-1858), with differing numbers of illustrations. This version of 1810 includes six fine full page wood engravings and 9 tailpiece vignettes, drawn by the printmaker and illustrator, John Thurston (1774-1822) and engraved by Luke Clennell (1781-1840), who served an apprenticeship with Thomas Bewick. POETRY WOODCUTS POETRY SCOTTISH 18TH CENTURY 19TH CENTURY ILLUSTRATED POETRY.…