AN EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES LORD HALIFAX, one of the Lords Justices appointed by his Majesty …

PHILIPS, Ambrose.

Published by London: printed for J. Tonson at Shakespear's Head over-against Catherine-street in the Strand, 1714

About this Item

Folio, pp. [iv], 5; a fine copy, complete with half title; disbound. First edition: a poem celebrating the accession of George I. As Johnson later wrote: 'When upon the succession of the House of Hanover every Whig expected to be happy, Philips seems to have obtained too little notice: he caught few drops of the golden shower, though he did not omit what flattery could perform. He was only made a Commissioner of the Lottery (1717), and, what did not much elevate his character, a Justice of the Peace.' Charles Montagu, Earl of Halifax, held no office during the reign of Queen Anne, but with the coming of George I his fortunes changed and he was named First Lord of the Treasury and a Knight of the Garter. He had a reputation as a patron of the arts and sciences, and Addison, Prior, Congreve, and Isaac Newton were all indebted to him. Pope, on the other hand, held him up to scorn in his Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot: 'Proud as Apollo on his forked hill Sat full-blown Buffo, puff'd by every quill.' This poem by Philips is both a joyful salute to a new beginning in Whig political circles, and a congratulation to Halifax for his return to favour. Narcissus Luttrell dated his copy 1 September, so this poem appeared almost exactly a month after Anne's death on 1 August. Foxon P206.

Seller Inventory # 23666

Bibliographic Details

• Title: AN EPISTLE TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES LORD HALIFAX, one of the Lords Justices appointed by his Majesty …
• Publisher: London: printed for J. Tonson at Shakespear's Head over-against Catherine-street in the Strand
• Publication Date: 1714
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Seller catalogs:
  • Poetry