A Collection and Selection of English Prologues and Epilogues Commencing With Garrick

London - Felding and Walker, 1779. Hardcover. Full calf leather binding with red and gilt spine label. Generally in presentable condition, edges rubbed. Spine ends worn outer hinges cracked but holding. Commencing with Shakespeare, and concluding with Garrick. With 21 fine engraved copper plate portraits of Actors and Actresses including Nell Gwyn. 4 vols. Small 8vo. Good condition in original calf. London: for Fielding and Walker, 1779. Bookplate of Hon. John Jocelyn: Jocelyn had acted as a seatwarmer for the family interest in Louth, headed since 1797 by his brother Robert, 2nd earl of Roden, until his nephew Viscount Jocelyn* came of age in 1809. His customs position gave him £650 per annum. Following the death of his brother in 1820 he came forward again as his nephew s nominee, with the additional backing of the Foster interest. Attempts to get up an opposition came to nothing.1 A lax attender, who is not known to have spoken in debate, he was described by a radical publication of 1823 as having voted with ministers , but his only known votes were against the bill to relieve Catholic peers of their disabilities, 30 Apr., in the minority of 24 for a 40s. fixed duty on corn, 8 May 1822, and against the Liverpool ministry for inquiry into the prosecution of the Dublin Orange rioters, 22 Apr. 1823.2 Next year he proposed his nephew s nominee Sir Robert Inglis* for the family seat at Dundalk.3 Failing health accounts for his absenteeism during the remainder of this period, when it was repeatedly rumoured that he would retire. He was induced to hold on until the next general election by Lord Oriel, who persuaded a rival not to solicit, advertise or canvass, till a dissolution be announced, except in the case of Jocelyn s death , 12 Feb. 1825.4 At the 1826 dissolution he duly stood down, explaining that the state of my health prevents me from offering .5 He died in January 1828, leaving a daughter, Anne Charlotte.…