2 Vols Translation of the Letters of a Hindoo Rajah; Written Previous to, and During the Period of His Residence in England. To Which is Prefixed, a Preliminary Dissertation on the History, Religion, and Manners, of the Hindoos

The second edition of this compelling epistolary satire, in which Elizabeth Hamilton turns the imagined observations of an Indian rajah upon British imperial pretensions. In a contemporary half calf binding with marbled paper boards. First published in 1796, this is the second edition. Complete in two volumes. An epistolary novel presented as the translated letters of an Indian rajah before and during his residence in England, preceded by Hamilton"s dissertation on Indian history, religion and manners. This work uses the perspective of an Indian traveller to satirise British manners, politics and imperial assumptions. Elizabeth Hamilton (1756 or 1758-1816) was a Scottish novelist, essayist and poet. Translation of the Letters of a Hindoo Rajah was her first novel; she later became particularly known for Memoirs of Modern Philosophers and The Cottagers of Glenburnie. In a contemporary half calf binding with marbled paper boards. Externally, generally smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities resulting in slight loss to calf and paper. Slight rubbing to boards. Very slight cracking to head of front joint of Vol II. Rules and regulations to subscribers from H. Ruff laid down to front paste downs. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with the odd light spot to first and last few leaves. Previous owner's contemporary ink inscription to head of title pages. 1 inch closed tear to the fore edge of pp. lv to the preface. Slight cockling to leaves. Very Good.…