Letters, on the Spirit of Patriotism: on the Idea of a Patriot King: and on the State of Parties, at the Accession of King George the First.

[BOLINGBROKE, Henry St John, Viscount].

Published by London: Printed for A. Millar … 1749., 1749

About this Item

8vo, pp. xi, [1], 9-251, [1], with a half-title; first and last few leaves foxed, but a good copy in contemporary polished calf, rebacked preserving the old spine, red morocco labels; ownership inscriptions of James Bunn (contemporary) and Thomas Bunn (later); bookplate of the broadcaster and bibliophile D. G. Bridson, with a few passages marked by him in the margin in pencil.First authorised edition. Written in 1738 for the Prince of Wales, the manuscript was then entrusted to Pope who had it printed, to Bolingbroke's fury: he bought up the entire edition and had it burnt in October 1744 (only two imperfect copies survive, at the British Library and Princeton). He later issued this edition, with a preface reproaching Pope (though he is not named directly) for his 'breach of trust'.Bridson would have read this volume as part of his research for The Filibuster: a Study of the political Ideas of Wyndham Lewis (1972), in which he mentions that Lewis 'admits to having toyed with the idea of a Patriot King as predicated by Bolingbroke'.Rothschild 41 4. Language: English. Seller Inventory # GR156

Bibliographic Details

Title: Letters, on the Spirit of Patriotism: on the...

Publisher: London: Printed for A. Millar … 1749.

Publication Date: 1749

Edition: First Edition.