A POETICAL VERSION OF THE FOUR GOSPELS.

4to (280 x 220mm), pp. [iv], iii, [i], 391; title a little foxed, and somewhat spotted occasionally throughout; else a fine copy, uncut in the original blue boards, white paper spine (rubbed but sound). First and only edition: there was another issue (undated) with a London bookseller added to the imprint, but clearly this is the original issue, even though some cataloguers date that one to 1800. This skilful versification of the Gospels is posthumously published: Ralph Darling (1728-98) had been a physician and twice Mayor of Hull. The book was issued by subscription, and as might be supposed, the majority of those taking copies were from Hull or surrounding areas. William Wilberforce, who MP for Hull at this time and was of course a very earnest member of the Clapham Sect, is among those listed. Johnson, Provincial Poetry, 251 (the Hull-London issue).