A Narrative of Transactions Relative to a Sermon Preached in the Parish Church of Brighton, August 18 , 1793 : With Some Short Extracts from the Sermon and Occasional Remarks

Vicesimus Knox (master of Tunbridge School and Late Fellow of St John's College, Oxford).

Published by C Dilly, in the Poultry, London, 1793

About this Item

HB. Dr. Knox, scholar and divine, a Christian and asserter of civil and religious liberty, had the temerity to deliver a sermon recommending peace shortly after the French Revolution and on the cusp of the Napoleonic wars. This upset some people and led to him being grossly insulted by various coxcombs in military uniforms whilst he was at the theatre forcing him to leave. He soon after published a narrative of these events causing a public sensation. The book also contains an appendix composed of letters received in response to the furore. An excerpt from an obituary is attached to the back of the frontis. Between the frontis and the title page is a note written and signed by Dr Knox that is dated Nov. 1810, from Tunbridge, to the printer of the next edition asking him to correct certain punctuation and spelling errors that are in the current edition that will be conveyed by his son. Before the half-title, tipped-in, is an engraving of Brighthelmstone (and the church) by J Walker from a drawing by J Nixon, publ. by J Walker in 1802. The frontis. is of Dr Knox and there is another, smaller, picture of him placed loose. Second Edition, corrected. Rebound recently, full-leather incorporating original boards with new brown gilt banded spine bearing a simple inter-band gilt floral pattern, and the gilt title "Knox's Narrative". Marbled eps. On the f.fep obverse and facing are various notes and inscr.:- ex-owners'names and a gift inscr. and a pencil note "The Revd J J Cotton was educated by the Revd John Mossop of the Grammar School, Brighthelmstone and afterwards became a member of Wadham Coll. Oxon. He was present when Dr Knox delivered this sermon in Brighton Church and vouches for the general truth of the transaction related in the following narrative. He also witnessed the treatment Dr Knox received at the theatre." Prologue of xlii and then the Narrative of 140 pages (paginated). Quire marks at bottom of pages. Between the prologue and the narrative is a slipped in coloured plate of "St. Nicholas's Church Brighton", "drawn & engraved by R Havell" , "publ. Sept.1829 by R Havell", "Pl.Vll" , "Proof". First and last few pages partially waterstained. Pictorial title page is slightly tanned. Book tight and clean.

Seller Inventory # 005152

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Narrative of Transactions Relative to a Sermon Preached in the Parish Church of Brighton, August 18 , 1793 : With Some Short Extracts from the Sermon and Occasional Remarks
• Publisher: C Dilly, in the Poultry, London
• Publication Date: 1793
• Binding: Full-Leather
• Edition: Second Edition
• Condition: Good+
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Politics
  • Sussex
  • Collecting